PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* NHL Game of the Day >> 10-5 NHL Run!
(NHL) NY Rangers vs. Anaheim,
Money Line: 125.00 NY Rangers (Away)
Result: Loss
Money Line: 125.00 NY Rangers (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The 46-25-4 NY Rangers opened a three-game road trip with a 3-0 win in LA last night against the Kings and play in Anaheim tonight, against the 40-23-11 Ducks. Anaheim concludes its homestand with this contest, riding a six-game point streak (5-0-1), as the Ducks look to win the Pacific Division for the fifth straight season.
NY Rangers: Antti Raanta made 30 saves en route to his fourth shutout of the season last night, matching his total in 52 starts over his first three NHL campaigns. However, it will be Henrik Lundqvist in goal tonight, as he plays his first game in nearly three weeks. Lundqvist strained his left hip while making 43 saves March 7 in a 5-2 victory over the Florida Panthers. He is Rangers' all-time leader in wins, shutouts, saves and appearances by a goalie. He owns 30 wins, a 2.65 GAA & a .913 save percentage on the season.
Anaheim: A fifth straight Pacific Division title is now squarely in Anaheim's sights. The Ducks are even in points with San Jose (losers of six straight!) and Edmonton but enter Sunday first in the division as a result of having a game in hand on both rivals. Speaking of No. 1 goalies, the Ducks expect starting goalie John Gibson to return soon. He's missed 12 of the past 13 games because of a lower-body injury, However, Gibson still ranks among the NHL's top 10 in shutouts, goals-against average and save percentage. The good news for Anaheim has been that with Gibson out, Jonathan Bernier has excelled. Bernier is 9-2-1 in his past 12 games with a shutout, a 1.89 GAA and .940 save percentage
The pick: Anaheim has joined Chicago, Pittsburgh and the Rangers as the only teams to post at least 40 wins in each of the last four seasons but beating the Rangers (and Lundqvist) here, is a tall order. The Rangers are the NHL's best road team, going 27-9-1, outscoring opponents 3.16-to-2.19 GPG. I'm taking the price and making the Rangers a 10* play.
NY Rangers: Antti Raanta made 30 saves en route to his fourth shutout of the season last night, matching his total in 52 starts over his first three NHL campaigns. However, it will be Henrik Lundqvist in goal tonight, as he plays his first game in nearly three weeks. Lundqvist strained his left hip while making 43 saves March 7 in a 5-2 victory over the Florida Panthers. He is Rangers' all-time leader in wins, shutouts, saves and appearances by a goalie. He owns 30 wins, a 2.65 GAA & a .913 save percentage on the season.
Anaheim: A fifth straight Pacific Division title is now squarely in Anaheim's sights. The Ducks are even in points with San Jose (losers of six straight!) and Edmonton but enter Sunday first in the division as a result of having a game in hand on both rivals. Speaking of No. 1 goalies, the Ducks expect starting goalie John Gibson to return soon. He's missed 12 of the past 13 games because of a lower-body injury, However, Gibson still ranks among the NHL's top 10 in shutouts, goals-against average and save percentage. The good news for Anaheim has been that with Gibson out, Jonathan Bernier has excelled. Bernier is 9-2-1 in his past 12 games with a shutout, a 1.89 GAA and .940 save percentage
The pick: Anaheim has joined Chicago, Pittsburgh and the Rangers as the only teams to post at least 40 wins in each of the last four seasons but beating the Rangers (and Lundqvist) here, is a tall order. The Rangers are the NHL's best road team, going 27-9-1, outscoring opponents 3.16-to-2.19 GPG. I'm taking the price and making the Rangers a 10* play.
