NHL Picks: Rangers Looking for Revenge Against Red Wings in Detroit

New York Rangers at Detroit Red Wings

The Rangers want revenge after what happened on Sunday at Madison Square Garden. They scored the first two goals and then nothing. Detroit rallied to tie the game and won 3-2 in extra time. 

The Rangers scored just eight goals in the last four games (1-2-1 record). Detroit has not tallied more than three goals in eight contests. Igor Shesterkin is to start in the net against Ville Husso. Husso has given up four goals in his past four starts (5-2-1, 1.86 goals-against-average, .941 save percentage). 

Could the New York offense wake up? Of course, it could. The Rangers have had some outbursts on the road this season, including six in Dallas and seven in Minnesota. That is the dilemma with the Rangers, and Detroit does take quite a few penalties, which would feed into New York’s man advantage. 

This means the production is going to increase at some point. Seeing a team with Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin struggle is difficult. New York is 6-5-3, which was not expected at this juncture.

Expect the game to be of a higher tempo, and the Red Wings are one of those teams where goals can snowball. If any team could solve Husso, it may be New York. 

Philadelphia Flyers at Columbus Blue Jackets

The Flyers come into Thursday night’s game against the Columbus burning hot. Behind the fantastic goaltending of Carter Hart, the Flyers are 7-3-2 and one of the feel-good stories of the NHL season so far. However, the Blue Jackets are on the opposite end of the spectrum. Columbus has won only three of their first 12 games. 

On the bright side, the Blue Jackets face former coach John Tortorella. If anything will get Columbus motivated, it is Tortorella. That may be for better or for worse, but it is something. Since winning in Madison Square Garden more than two weeks ago, the Blue Jackets have lost five consecutive games. In those contests, Columbus has managed a measly eight goals. This will not win matchups in the NHL. 

It will be interesting to see who Columbus starts in goal tonight. Brad Larson is in real trouble on the coaching hot seat. His decision-making, from goaltending to defense and offense, has all been questioned.

That is significant. Add that Columbus is favored on the moneyline at -120. Will that swing a bit in the afternoon? Surprisingly, the Over here is just 6.5 at dead Even. It is another thing to keep an eye on. 

Nashville Predators at Colorado Avalanche

What does one do here? Colorado enjoyed a long rest after thumping Columbus to the tune of 11-4 in Finland. The Avalanche have not played in five nights. Meanwhile, Nashville has enormous problems with its defense and goaltender, Juuse Saros. Saros has yielded 13 goals in his last three starts. This included four goals on six goals on Tuesday in Seattle. Does John Hynes throw him right back in there?

Both teams are rested. Nashville comes in at 5-7-1 after that implosion in Seattle. Still, being on the road will help the Predators. This is a team with pride and playoff expectations, after all. Colorado still is suffering from some of that “Stanley Cup Hangover” but is 6-4-1. Alexandar Georgiev has been a huge bright spot going 6-1-1 so far. His .925 save percentage has been quite a surprise too.

Is this the night Colorado takes a step back? Or is this the night that Nashville tries mightily but falls apart anyway? No one truly knows. Playing at home after a long layoff (err, overseas trip) can be rough from a stamina standpoint. Yet, playing in altitude, Nashville has its own set of problems.

Some Picks And More To Ponder

• Parlay - Bruins, Golden Knights, Hurricanes to win at +350.
• David Pastrnak shot prop - check number.
• Juuse Saros save prop Over - check number.
• New York Rangers in regulation at +100.
• Rangers-Red Wings Over 6.0 goals at -105.
• Vegas-Buffalo Over 6.5 goals at -110. Check Vegas Over 3.5 goals as well.

Good luck, and once again, thanks for reading! We will have a few more plays on social media as conditions warrant.

All odds today come from BetMGM.