by Rod Pearson
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Game Time: 9:00 pm ET, Thursday, March 28, 2024
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Rangers +120, Avalanche -142; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Rangers +120, Avalanche -142; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Rangers +120, Avalanche -142; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Season Record
New York Rangers: 48-20-4 (1st place, Metropolitan Division)
Colorado Avalanche: 46-21-5 (2nd place, Central Division)
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Recent Form
New York Rangers: 8-2-0 last 10
Colorado Avalanche: 9-1-0 last 10
New York Rangers vs Colorado Avalanche Preview and Analysis
The Rangers are entering this game with 100 points, a 48-20-4 record overall, and they are 22-11-4 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Philadelphia Flyers in their last game, winning that one at home 6-5 in overtime. Alexis Lafrenière led the team in goals scored with 2 while Adam Fox, Vincent Trocheck, Mika Zibanejad, and Jonny Brodzinski each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Artemi Panarin led the team in assists with 2 while Adam Fox and Mika Zibanejad each led the team in shots on net in that game with 4. Igor Shesterkin was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 5 goals on 41 shots with 36 saves and a .878 save percentage. Their offense has scored 246 goals this season averaging 3.4 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 199 goals against them allowing 2.8 goals per game.
The Avalanche are entering this game with 97 points, a 46-21-5 record overall, and they are 28-7-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Montreal Canadiens in their last game, losing that one at home 2-1. Nathan MacKinnon scored 1 goal for them in that game. Mikko Rantanen and Devon Toews each led the team in assists with 1 while Nathan MacKinnon led the team in shots on net in that game with 4. Justus Annunen was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 2 goals on 26 shots with 24 saves and a .923 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 270 goals this season averaging 3.8 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 214 goals against them allowing 3 goals per game.
Rangers vs Avalanche Prediction
The current betting odds have the Avalanche listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Avalanche have looked good in their games this season with their 46-21-5 record overall which has them in 2nd place of their division in the West. They are fighting for the 1st place spot in their division right now and they have looked great on home ice all year with their 28-7-0 home record. Meanwhile, the Rangers have also looked really good in their games this season with their 48-20-4 record overall which has them leading their division in the East with one of the best records in the entire NHL right now. They have also looked good in their road games with their 22-11-4 road record. Both of these teams have been really hot coming into this one with the Rangers being 8-2-0 in their last 10 games and the Avalanche being 9-1-0 in their last 10 games. The Rangers have more momentum on their side right now with 3 wins in a row, but the Avalanche have been so good on home ice this season and they are going to be motivated to bounce back here since they are coming off a bad loss to the Canadiens in their last one, snapping a long win streak they were on. The best way to place a bet here is on the Avalanche to win this game.
Rangers Avalanche Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Thursday, March 28, 2024 (9:00 pm ET start time) is Avalanche 2 Rangers 0.
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NHL Betting Trends
New York Rangers: 8-10 (-9 units) on the moneyline after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game. 6-8 (-6.1 units) on the moneyline off a home win scoring 4 or more goals. 7-1 OVER after a home game where both teams score 3 or more goals. 6-3 OVER after playing a game where 9 or more total goals were scored.
Colorado Avalanche: 172-90 (+17.9 units) on the moneyline in all games. 56-27 (+8.3 units) on the moneyline revenging a loss versus opponent. 57-30 (+10.5 units) on the moneyline after 1 or more consecutive losses. 16-9 OVER after 1 or more consecutive losses. 22-8 OVER in non-conference games.
Key Injuries
New York Rangers: A. Wennberg (C) Ques Thurs - Personal. E. Gustafsson (D) Ques Thurs - Upper Body. J. Trouba (D) Early April - Lower Body. R. Lindgren (D) Early April - Lower Body. B. Wheeler (RW) out for season - Lower Body. F. Chytil (C) out for season - Upper Body.
Colorado Avalanche: L. O'Connor (RW) out for season - Hip. P. Francouz (G) out for season - Groin. G. Landeskog (LW) out for season - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“For us to stay as consistent as we have says a lot about our group. It’s big for us to clinch that playoff spot. It’s just the first step.” - Adam Fox after his team’s win against the Flyers in their game on Tuesday.
“They blocked a lot of shots and their goalie played well. He didn’t give up any rebounds.” - Jared Bednar after his team’s loss against the Canadiens in their game on Tuesday.
Starting Lineups
New York Rangers
LW Panarin, Artemi
C Trocheck, Vincent
RW Lafrenière, Alexis
LD Miller, K'Andre
RD Schneider, Braden
G Shesterkin, Igor
Colorado Avalanche
LW Lehkonen, Artturi
C MacKinnon, Nathan
RW Rantanen, Mikko
LD Toews, Devon
RD Makar, Cale
G Georgiev, Alexandar
Statistical Leaders
New York Rangers
Points: A. Panarin (102)
Goals: A. Panarin (43)
Assists: A. Panarin (59)
GAA: J. Quick (2.44)
Colorado Avalanche
Points: N. MacKinnon (123)
Goals: N. MacKinnon (45)
Assists: N. MacKinnon (78)
GAA: J. Annunen (2.34)
Coaches:
New York Rangers: Peter Laviolette (1st season)
Colorado Avalanche: Jared Bednar (8th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
