We have this interesting inter-conference NHL clash in Denver on Friday, December 9, and here you can check out the best Rangers vs. Avalanche betting pick and odds.
New York is looking for the third straight win when they visit Colorado at Ball Arena. The Rangers are -155 moneyline favorites on WynnBet NY Sportsbook, while the total is set at 6 goals. These inter-conference rivals have faced once this year, and the Avalanche won that game 3-2 after penalties in New York.
Rangers scored 11 goals in the last two games
The New York Rangers (13-10-4-1, 10-18 ATS) went through a rough period of five defeats in six games, but they responded magnificently with a pair of wins over the Blues and Golden Knights. Not only they won both games, but the Rangers scored 11 goals in the process and allowed just five. They now climbed up to the 9th place in the East.
The Rangers scored four games in the third period in a 5-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights and completely deserved to win as they attempted 37 shots opposite Vegas’ 26. Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad impressed with three points apiece, while chipped in a pair of assists. This season, these three players lead the team in points. Panarin has 33 (G 6, A 27), Zibanejad follows him with 32 (G 15, A 17), while Fox has 30 (G 7, A 23).
Igor Shesterkin (12-4-4) is likely going to take his place between the sticks against Colorado on Friday. The 26-year-old is surrendering 2.58 goals per contest this year, along with a .913 SV% and one shutout.
Avalanche are struggling with injuries
The Colorado Avalanche (13-10-1-0, 13-11 ATS) are going through a tough spell as they suffered three consecutive losses for the first time this season. Colorado lost to the Bruins and Flyers on the road, and then lost 4-0 to the Bruins at home, scoring miserable four goals in that stretch. In fact, the Avs failed to find the back of the net in a 4-0 defeat to Boston, and these offensive struggles are closely related to numerous injuries.
The Bruins dominated the game in Denver and recorded 37 shots opposite the Avalanches’ 23. The hosts couldn’t do much on offense as they were playing without their best player and one of the best players in the entire NHL – Nathan MacKinnon. This year, MacKinnon leads the Avs with 34 points (G 8, A 26); Mikko Rantanen is right behind with 32 (G 15, A 17), while Cale Makar has 24 points (G 6, A 18).
Alexandar Georgiev will start at the goal for the Avalanche against the Rangers on Friday. The 26-year-old is allowing 2.76 goals per game this season with a .918 SV% and one shutout.
C Nathan MacKinnon (upper body), LW Gabriel Landeskog (lower body), LW Darren Helm (hip), LW Valeri Nichushkin (ankle), and C Shane Bowers (upper body). LW Artturi Lehkonen (upper body) is questionable to feature on Friday against the Rangers.
Trends:
New York:
4-1 in the last five road games
35-17 in the last 52 when their opponent scores two goals or less in their previous game
Colorado:
1-4 in the last five games playing on one day of rest
New York Rangers vs. Colorado Avalanche Pick
The Avalanche will go through this rough period, but it’s not going to end just yet. Without MacKinnon and several other key players including captain Landeskog, the Avs are not as strong, and the reigning Stanley Cup champions will suffer in the next couple of weeks.
Colorado scored only four goals in four losses out of the previous five games, which is direct proof of the Avs’ offensive woes without MacKinnon. Both teams are strong defensively, but on this occasion, I am going with a better offense, which is New York’s.
Pick: Take the Rangers to win (-155)
The Total
The Avalanche will try to take this game to a low-scoring affair in order to win because the hosts know they cannot parry the Rangers offensively at the moment. Shesterkin and Georgiev are excellent goaltenders and I am sure neither will allow more than three goals.
The Rangers are 10th in the NHL in defense with 2.86 goals allowed per game, while Colorado concedes 2.92 gpg. Under is 8-2-1 in the Rangers’ last 11 games following a win; Under is 5-1-1 in New York’s previous seven road games, while Under betting record is 8-3-1 in the Avalanche’s last 12 overall.
Pick: Go Under 6 goals (-110)
