The New York Rangers (12-10-4) and Vegas Golden Knights (19-7-1) meet Wednesday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (TNT).
The Rangers posted a 6-4 win at home against the St. Louis Blues last time out on Monday, bouncing back nicely after a stunning 5-2 loss at MSG against the lowly Chicago Blackhawks Saturday.
The Golden Knights earned a satisfying 4-3 shootout win in Boston, denying the Bruins of 2 points in a rare setback for the Eastern Conference titans. VGK posted a 3-1 record in the 4-game road trip. It looks to redeem itself in front of the home fans as they lost 5-1 against the Vancouver Canucks Nov. 26 in its most recent showing at T-Mobile Arena.
Rangers at Golden Knights odds
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Golden Knights -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-210) | Golden Knights -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +105 | U: -125)
Rangers at Golden Knights projected goalies
Igor Shesterkin (11-4-4, 2.67 GAA, .910 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Logan Thompson (13-5-0, 2.55 GAA, .921 SV%, 2 SO)
Shesterkin allowed 4 goals on 29 shots in a 6-4 victory over the Blues last time out on Monday, avenging a 3-2 loss at home against the Ottawa Senators in his prior start on Friday. He has not been in his Vezina form lately, allowing 3 or more goals in 5 straight starts, and 8 of the past 11 starts overall.
Thompson is brimming with confidence after stopping 40 of the 43 shots he faced in a 4-3 shootout win against the white-hot Bruins in Boston Monday. He has alternated wins and losses across the past 5 starts, but he has yielded 3 or fewer goals in 5 of the past 8 games overall.
Rangers at Golden Knights picks and predictions
Prediction
Golden Knights 4, Rangers 2
Moneyline
The GOLDEN KNIGHTS (-145) are moderate favorites against the visiting Rangers, and the play does come with a little risk. Vegas has dropped its last 2 on home ice against the Canucks and the Seattle Kraken.
Still, VGK has won 11 of its past 12 games against Eastern Conference teams, and the Blueshirts are on a 1-5 slide in the past 6 tries against teams with a winning overall record.
Puck line/Against the spread
The GOLDEN KNIGHTS -1.5 (+155) are worth a roll of the dice on home ice against the skidding Rangers.
Vegas has handled its business against New York since coming into the league, and it is 6-1 in the previous 7 meetings, with the favorite cashing in 7 of the past 8 in this series.
Over/Under
UNDER 6.5(-125) is the lean here, but play it lightly.
Shesterkin hasn’t been himself lately, but you have to figure at some point he is going to put it together and turn things around.