Last February the New York Rangers raised the white flag of surrender for the entire world to see. Not only did the Rangers unload expensive and talented players to contending teams but they also issued a letter to season ticket holders fully admitting that their days as serious playoff contenders were over and that they were going to blow the whole thing up and start over with a rebuild. Meanwhile the Nashville Predators experienced the letdown of a second-round playoff elimination after making the Western Conference final in 2017. Now the Preds must answer the question as to whether or not they deserve to be considered a top tier contender in the West.
Nashville Predators vs. New York Rangers
Date and Time: Thursday, October 4, 2018, 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
NHL Odds at Bookmaker.eu: Check Back Later
Predators vs. Rangers TV Coverage: NBCSN
Opening Night for Both Teams
Thursday is the second night of the National Hockey League regular season and will be the season opener for both the Predators and Rangers. While most observers still consider the Predators the top tier choice with the Winnipeg Jets to win the Western Conference the Rangers are a betting long shot to take the Eastern Conference.
Predators Recommitted for Another Run
Nashville may have been overconfident in the playoffs last spring as defending Western Conference champions and the odds-on favorite to repeat. In the first round the Preds got far more than they expected from the upstart Colorado Avalanche and needed six games to eliminate them. In the second round Nashville was surprised by a Winnipeg Jets team that looked deeper and better. The 5-1 loss to the Jets in game seven was particularly humbling as it took place on home ice.
Pekka Problem?
Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne has long been considered the strength and top asset on the team. At least until last spring. Rinne was bombed in the playoffs for a .904 save percentage and was between the pipes for the game seven debacle against Winnipeg. Rinne also had a terrible preseason with a save percentage far below .900. Let’s just say the 35-year-old Vezina Trophy winner has much to prove and fast.
King Henrik Remains True Blueshirt
Despite the full rebuild the one remaining player from better times for the Rangers is goaltender Henrik Lundvist. King Henrik does not want to leave his beloved New York to play for a contender. At least not yet. But next February’s trade deadline may prove too tempting for both Lundqvist and the Rangers. As for now he remains the Marquee Man and fan favorite in New York.
Top Trends
Nashville has been a strong betting value on the road with 15 payouts in their last 20 games on enemy ice. Four of the Predators last five away games have gone under the total. Home ice has not been much of an advantage for the Rangers recently as the Broadway Blueshirts have paid in just four of their last 13 games at Madison Square Garden with just one of their last seven home games going under the total.
Head to Head
The Rangers have had the long-term edge over Nashville in this head to head series with eight payouts in the last 12 meetings between these teams. Four of the last five between the Rangers and Predators went over the total. Nashville has lost four in a row at Madison Square Garden with the last two meetings between these teams in New York going over the total.
Free ATS Pick
The Rangers built up a strong head to head record against the Predators before they went into full rebuild mode. With that in mind the Predators have the far deeper and more experienced team with a strong record of getting the money on the road. The Rangers have declined badly as a home betting value. Nashville is the stronger choice here.
Predators vs. Rangers pick: Nashville Predators
Predators vs. Rangers Score Prediction: Predators 3, Rangers 1
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