New York Rangers at Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview
Opening Moneyline: Rangers +160 / Avalanche -185 O/U 5.5 goals
Time: 8 PM EST Sunday January 31, 2010
Tonight in a match up pf a couple teams that are on losing streaks the Colorado Avalanche host the New York Rangers. Colorado has lost 2 games in a row, but they are are 6-4 in their last 10 games, and are now in 2nd place in the Northwest Division 4 points back of the red-hot Vancouver Canucks. The Rangers are in trouble recently, as they have lost 7 in a row, having only one win in their last 10 games (1-7-2), and with last night's loss are now out of the playoff race in 9th position in the Eastern Conference.
This season Colorado is 15-10-4 at home and New York is 12-11-3 on the road.
In their last games the Rangers lost to the Phoenix Coyotes 3-2 last night and the Avalanche lost to the Dallas Stars 3-2 on Friday night.
The Rangers have lost their last 5 games in Colorado and are 1-7 in their last 8 against the Avalanche.
The Rangers offense, which ranks 27th in the league scoring an average of 2.51 goals per game, has been sputtering during their 5-game losing streak only scoring a grand total of 5 goals.
Not only are the Rangers hurting on offense, but they may have to go with rookie G Chad Johnson (0 wins 2.72 GAA save percentage 90%) if starter Henrik Lundqvist, who missed last night's game with the flu, can't go again. The Rangers' defense, which is decent, will have to deal with an Avalanche offense that is averaging 2.83 goals per game, which ranks 9th in the league.
Colorado G Craig Anderson (26 wins 2.45 GAA save percentage 92.4%) will get the start tonight between the pipes and has played well this season, especially at home. In his last 5 games at the Pepsi Center in Denver Anderson has only allowed 1 goal or less. In his last 8 games at home he is 5-3-0 with a 1.39 GAA and a couple of shutouts.
Marian Gaborik, who leads the rangers in goals, assists, and points will have to play well tonight and the Rangers hope he can snap them out of their offensive funk.
The Avalanche play great team hockey on offense, as their leading goal scorer Chris Stewart, only has 17 goals.
New York is 2-6 in their last 8 games against teams with a winning record, have an Over record of 3-0-1 in their last 4 games, and have an Under record of 20-7-2 in their last 29 games on the road. Colorado is 4-1 in their last 5 home games, has an Under record of 4-0 in their last 4 games, and has an Under record of 6-1 in their last 7 home games.
Our Selection : The Rangers have struggled to score as of late and are 2-6 against teams with a winning record and have lost their last 5 games in Colorado. Colorado is 4-1 in their last 5 home games. Take Colorado -.5 -1.07 in 60 minutes.
Future Betting Odds
NHL Handicapping
New York Rangers at Philadelphia Flyers 4-11
Well, today's game in the City of Brotherly love is for all the marbles, as the Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Rangers. Both of these teams are tied for the 8th and last playoff spot in the East, so the winner of this game will make the playoffs while the loser will be watching them from home.