New York Rangers Host Nashville Before Heading West

After edging the Arizona Coyotes in the home opener, the Blueshirts will host the Nashville Predators before heading out west for a five-game road trip (7PM on MSG).

Rangers	NHL Rankings	Predators
2-1-0	Record	1-3-0
13^th	NHL Standing Rank	27^th
15^th	GF/PG	24^th
10^th	GA/PG	20^th
7^th	PP%	21^st
20^th	PK%	31^st

Previous Game

The Blueshirts are coming off a 2-1 victory over the Arizona Coyotes. New York got goals from Chris Kreider and Vincent Trocheck to sneak a victory. Igor Shesterkin made his third straight start of the season and he recorded 26 saves on the evening. Clayton Keller got the lone Arizona goal which came on the power play.

New York Rangers vs Predators

The Blueshirts will now end a quick two-game homestand as they prepare to head out for a long five-game road trip. The road trip will begin in Seattle, before heading to Canada to take on Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Winnipeg.

Nashville didn’t make many major changes from the team that just miss the playoffs by three points last season. Perhaps the biggest change came in front office where former General Manager (GM) David Poile retired. Poile became the first GM in Nashville when the team was created back in 1997. He stayed with the organization for 26 seasons until retiring at the past NHL draft which took place in Nashville. Barry Trotz, who coached the team from 1998 to 2014, was awarded the job of GM following Poile’s retirement.

The Predators did give out a four-year contract to 32-year-old Ryan O’ Reilly. The Canadian center iceman was the captain of the St. Louis Blues team that won the Stanley Cup in 2019. He was traded at the trade deadline this past season to Toronto where he was ousted in the second round by the Panthers. Toronto could not retain his services and ultimately, Trotz and the Predators came knocking for the veteran. O’ Reilly is currently tied for the team league in points with three.

The other move Nashville made was acquiring Luke Schenn on the backend. Oddly enough, Schenn was also acquired at the trade deadline last season from Toronto, but like O’ Reilly, the Leafs could not bring him back. The 33-year-old was injured in the team’s first game and is out for four-to-six weeks as he will miss the team’s only trip to Madison Square Garden this season.

Nick Bonino did not participate in Rangers practice on Wednesday. Head coach Peter Laviolette described it as maintenance with a hope that he will be available for Thursday night’s game as he is listed as a game-time decision. If Bonino cannot go, expect Barclay Goodrow to center the team’s fourth line and Jimmy Vesey to enter the lineup.

Shesterkin is expected to make his fourth-straight appearance to open the year. Backup netminder Jonathan Quick has yet to see any action in a blue sweater. Shesterkin won his only career start against the Predators.

Juuse Saros is expected to get the start for the Predators. The 28-year-old was pulled from his last start against Edmonton where he allowed four-goals on eleven shots. The Finnish native has an .888 save percentage as he looks to get his season on track. Saros has a .933 career save percentage against the Rangers in his career.

Bet of the Night

So, we are going to try to hit the same bet twice in a row (again) oddly enough. Last time trying the over at 6.5 goals in the game did not hit the second time, but here is hoping it hits again tonight. The bet of the night is for Adam Fox to record a power-play point at +124 odds on Draftkings. The $5 bet is set to pay 11:40. Fox has a power-play point in each game this season and sits at just 60% to start the league which is good for second to last in the league. Fox’s odds are just a steal to have at +124.

Last bet: The last pick was a hit as Fox recorded a power-play point. Our quest to going .500 or better currently remains intact.

Current record: 2-1

Current Money Total (Based on $5 bets) – We are up $11.40.