An inter-conference matchup will take place tonight at Madison Square Garden. The Blues (7-6-1, 15 pts.) are vying for a return to the postseason, currently fifth in the Central Division. It’s a similar story for the Rangers (7-7-1, 15 pts.), losers in six of their last seven games. Which of these playoff hopefuls will pick up a win on Tuesday?
New York comes into this one as favorites (-120), with St. Louis priced at +100 on the moneyline. The total is set at 5.5 goals. Read on for a Blues vs. Rangers prediction and pick on DraftKings Sportsbook for Tuesday’s game, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST.
Blues vs. Rangers prediction, preview
St. Louis comes into this one with a bit of momentum, winning four of its last six contests. That includes victories over contenders such as the Bruins and Golden Knights. This group has built its reputation on the defensive end of the floor, tied for 11th in goals allowed per game (3.00). To boot, the Blues also rank sixth in the NHL with a 91.7% net penalty kill percentage. Former waiver claim Justin Barron has been an unexpected surprise, leading the team in plus/minus (+6). Fellow defensemen Adam Jiricek and Philip Broberg have helped form an intriguing, youthful group of blueliners.
Producing goals of their own has been more difficult for the Blues. They’re putting up 3.14 scores per game, only good enough for 16th in the NHL. Keep in mind, Jim Montgomery’s crew posted the league’s eighth-fewest goals last season. Jimmy Snuggerud has been a bright spot, finding the back of the net eight times already. Ditto for centers Dylan Holloway (3 G, 9 A) and Mason McTavish (6 G, 4 A). Still, offensive contributors have been difficult to come by for St. Louis. Just two members of the active roster have notched more than ten points through 14 games.
The Rangers are jacks of all trades, doing almost nothing exceptionally well. However, there aren’t many glaring weaknesses on this roster either. Goaltender has been an issue, with former Vezina winner Igor Shesterkin (knee) out for the season. Dylan Garand have done a decent job of holding down the fort in his absence. The rookie netminder owns a 2.73 GAA and .896 SV%. Two-time All-Star Adam Fox has led a solid group of defensemen in the Big Apple as well. New York is allowing a respectable 3.07 goals per game, 14th-best in the league.
Offensively, it’s been middling at best for the Blueshirts. They’re averaging 3.00 goals per game, 20th in the NHL. The team has scored one goal or less on five different occasions already, so there’s a low floor as well. That’s not to say it’s been all bad. Former top pick Alexis Lafreniere is finally living up to his superstar potential, notching nine goals and seven assists. Fox has been outstanding as a passer; his 16 assists are tied for fifth-most in the league. Still, there’s reason for concern. High-priced offseason pickup Pavel Dorofeyev is last on the Rangers with a -14 plus/minus. In fact, only Chicago’s Patrick Kane (-15) has been worse in that category.
Blues vs. Rangers pick, best bet
It’s an extremely low total on Tuesday, but it’s for good reason. These are two inconsistent offenses, preferring to play more conservatively and protect the net. The Blues and Rangers both rank within the top six squads in net PK%, so there’s unlikely to be many power play chances either. At plus money, I’m willing to bet tonight’s game turns into a low-scoring slugfest.
