Given how competitive and bunched up the Eastern Conference is, every point matters now and will matter more down the stretch. 

The Rangers and Senators have had similar seasons in that they have been a bit of a rollercoaster, sustained a couple of key injuries, but ultimately, they have played well enough to keep pace in a jam-packed conference. On a great Thursday night slate, this could be one of the better games.

The Senators are listed as -135 favourites on the NHL odds board with a game total of 5.5.

Rangers vs. Senators NHL Betting Odds

The Rangers enter this game having won four out of their last five. In that stretch, they beat the Blues, Hurricanes, Bruins, and Stars. After a four-game losing streak earlier in November, the Rangers look to have things back on track. 

It has been a bit of an up-and-down season for the Senators. Yet, they sit third in the Atlantic division. The floor is high enough for this team that they can falter and still come out okay. Ottawa is 5-1-1 in their last seven played at home as part of a 6-3-2 home record. They’ll need home magic as New York is very strong on the road, is in good form, and has won four out of the last five played against Ottawa.

New York Rangers

The Rangers’ 30 points this season are largely due to their play on the road. Their .719 road point percentage is fourth best in the NHL, and both their goals scored and goals allowed per-game rank top-eight in the league on the road.

There have been a few standout performances for the Rangers this season, but it’s primarily the play of goaltender Igor Shesterkin that has kept the Rangers afloat. Shesterkin’s NHL ranks are tied-fourth in wins, ninth in goals against average, ninth in save percentage, and first in total saves. He is the primary reason the Rangers rank fifth in the NHL in goals allowed per game. 

Ottawa Senators

This is the first game at home for the Senators since Nov. 15 and it’s just their fifth home game since October. Being on home ice is very welcomed, as the Sens just went 4-3 on a seven-game road trip across four time zones. The 4-3 record is not phenomenal, but they visited strong opponents and still managed to maintain a division top-three spot.

The Senators have faced plenty of adversity just 26 games into the season. They lost their captain and best player, Brady Tkachuk, for 20 games, they started the season in a hole, and defenceman Thomas Chabot was recently injured. Despite the headwinds, this team continues to collect points when they need to.

NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Rangers vs. Senators?

The Senators returning home battle-tested from a brutal road trip gives them appeal in this one. The Senators played well against very good teams, and now they can play more free in front of their home crowd.

There is something to be said for facing adversity and getting to the other side mostly unscathed. That is the situation the Senators are in and there is a positive feeling in that locker room right now. They should ride that feeling and have some extra juice for their first game at home in nearly three weeks. Look for a 3-2, grind-it-out style win against a good Rangers team.