PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* NHL PLAY OF THE DAY >> Off 3-0 SWEEP!
(NHL) NY Rangers vs. Edmonton,
Total: 6.50 | -110.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 6.50 | -110.00 Under
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Edmonton Oilers shocked most NHL observers with their 103 points last season and at the start of the current season, were a sexy pick to win the Western Conference. However, the Oilers started poorly and never got it going. They continue their current five-game homestand Saturday against the New York Rangers and with a 27-33-4 mark (58 points), will miss the playoffs for the 11th time in 12 seasons. They began their homestand with Thursday's 4-2 loss to Nashville and now welcome the 29-30-6 NY Rangers to town, a team looking to finish its three-game swing through Western Canada at 3-0, after posting victories in Vancouver and Calgary.
NY Rangers: New York is only five points out of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with its 64 points, despite having a fire sale prior to last Monday's trade deadline. The Rangers did acquire center Ryan Spooner and he recorded a goal and an assist in Friday's 3-1 victory over the Flames. Spooner was obtained from Boston in Sunday's deal that sent Rick Nash to the Bruins. He has collected a goal and six assists in three games with his new team. Vladislav Namestnikov, in his first game after being acquired from Tampa Bay on Monday, was kept off the scoresheet in Calgary after notching a goal and an assist against Vancouver. Henrik Lundqvist, just 25-21-5 (2.89 GAA & .916 SP) on the season, but registered 50-save performances in each of the two wins at Vancouver and Calgary.
Edmonton: Captain Connor McDavid recorded a goal and an assist against Nashville, increasing his team-leading total to 77 points (29 goals). Center Ryan Strome, who spent his first four with the NY Islanders, is riding a four-game point streak during which he has collected three goals and three assists. Leon Draisaitl (58 points) scored against the Predators, giving him a goal in four of his last five contests. Some good news for Edmonton is that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who hasn't played since Jan. 13 because of a rib injury, may return as the Oilers look to avoid a third consecutive defeat. He has 31 points in 46 games and coach Todd McLellan told the team's website Friday that " "He's very close to playing,"
The pick: New York is an excellent 11-4-0 against the Pacific Division this season, so a 3-0 Western swing sweep would not be a stretch. That said, I'll play the over, as the Rangers are allowing 3.35 GPG on the road and the Oilers are allowing 3.55 GPG at home. Make the Over a 10* play.
NY Rangers: New York is only five points out of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with its 64 points, despite having a fire sale prior to last Monday's trade deadline. The Rangers did acquire center Ryan Spooner and he recorded a goal and an assist in Friday's 3-1 victory over the Flames. Spooner was obtained from Boston in Sunday's deal that sent Rick Nash to the Bruins. He has collected a goal and six assists in three games with his new team. Vladislav Namestnikov, in his first game after being acquired from Tampa Bay on Monday, was kept off the scoresheet in Calgary after notching a goal and an assist against Vancouver. Henrik Lundqvist, just 25-21-5 (2.89 GAA & .916 SP) on the season, but registered 50-save performances in each of the two wins at Vancouver and Calgary.
Edmonton: Captain Connor McDavid recorded a goal and an assist against Nashville, increasing his team-leading total to 77 points (29 goals). Center Ryan Strome, who spent his first four with the NY Islanders, is riding a four-game point streak during which he has collected three goals and three assists. Leon Draisaitl (58 points) scored against the Predators, giving him a goal in four of his last five contests. Some good news for Edmonton is that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who hasn't played since Jan. 13 because of a rib injury, may return as the Oilers look to avoid a third consecutive defeat. He has 31 points in 46 games and coach Todd McLellan told the team's website Friday that " "He's very close to playing,"
The pick: New York is an excellent 11-4-0 against the Pacific Division this season, so a 3-0 Western swing sweep would not be a stretch. That said, I'll play the over, as the Rangers are allowing 3.35 GPG on the road and the Oilers are allowing 3.55 GPG at home. Make the Over a 10* play.