The New York Rangers (4-5-2) face the Edmonton Oilers (5-4-2) Thursday. Puck drop from Rogers Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is set for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Rangers vs. Oilers odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Oilers lead 1-0 after 2-0 win in New York Oct. 14
The Rangers opened up their Canadian trek with a 5-1 loss at the Calgary Flames Sunday, but responded with a 2-0 shutout at the Vancouver Canucks Tuesday. G Jonathan Quick stopped all 23 shots fired his way as C Mika Zibanejad scored his fourth goal of the season. He has netted one in 3 of the last 6 games.
The Oilers eradicated the Utah Mammoth 6-3 Tuesday. They got down 2-0 after 1 period and scored 5 goals in the second frame. C Connor McDavid had 2 goals, his second and third of the campaign, and C Leon Draisaitl drilled his eighth goal of the season.
Rangers at Oilers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:31 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Rangers +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Oilers -160 (bet $160 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-175) | Oilers -1.5 (+145)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -105 | U: -115)Rangers at Oilers projected goalies
Igor Shesterkin (2-4-2, 2.25 GAA, .916 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Stuart Skinner (3-3-1 2.41 GAA, .898 SV%, 1 SO)
Shesterkin’s record is an absolute joke based on how well he has played. The team has scored 8 goals in his 6 losses, and 5 of those came in a single game. He has faltered of late, though, with 11 goals allowed in his last 2 starts. He stopped 20 of 21 in the 2-0 loss to Edmonton 2 weeks ago.
Skinner has been consistently average, allowing exactly 3 goals in 5 of his 7 starts. He stopped 20 of 23 in Tuesday’s 6-3 win over Utah. His lone shutout came against these Rangers Oct. 14, stopping all 30 shots headed his way.
Rangers at Oilers picks and predictionsPrediction
Oilers 3, Rangers 2
I like Edmonton here, but I’m not willing to put -160 on it. The Rangers have gone winless at home but 4-1-1 on the road. With Shesterkin between the pipes, I expect a lower score, which gives New York a chance.
If/when Shesterkin is confirmed, I would strongly consider his Over on saves. In the meantime, take MIKA ZIBANEJAD OVER 2.5 SHOTS ON GOAL (-110). His last 5 games shots totals: 3, 3, 2, 4, 3. And he had 3 against Edmonton 2 weeks ago. Hit it.
PASS and head to the total.
I really like UNDER 6 (-115). These teams play each other hard, and the last 2 matchups saw 4 or fewer goals both times. Edmonton is a little lackidaisical offensively. The Oilers posted 6 goals twice in the last week, but the rest of their games have been 3 or fewer this season.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow @rdodsonsports on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.