Bruins vs Rangers Odds, Lines, and How to Watch
By Robert Duff in NHL Hockey
Published:
- The Boston Bruins are -148 road favorites as they face the New York Rangers on WednesdayÂ
- Robert Duff hit on both of his Saturday picks, bringing his NHL record to 8-5 (+2.65 units won)
- Boston has won four straight over the Rangers and three of the last four games played at Madison Square Garden
When it comes to playing the Rangers, let’s just say the Boston Bruins are in a New York state of mind. Especially when the Bruins are facing the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
Overall, Boston has come out on top of New York’s Manhattan-based NHL team in each of their last four meetings. The Bruins are almost as successful when they trek to MSG. There, they’ve downed the Rangers in three of the last four games between the two teams.
No wonder then that Boston is the -148 favorite to win Wednesday’s road game against the Rangers. In the midst of a seven-game road trip, Boston is 3-1. That includes three victories in a row.
Boston Bruins vs New York Rangers Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Bruins | -157 | -1.5 (+160) | O 6.0 (+100) |
| New York Rangers | +135 | +1.5 (-195) | U 6.0 (-121) |
Odds taken Feb. 9th at DraftKings
The puck drop Wednesday is at 7 PM EST. The game is being carried by NBCSN.
Saucy Pasta
The Bruins are clearly a different and much better team with David Pastrnark healthy and in the lineup. Of course, it doesn’t take a hockey savant to figure out a team would be improving with the return of a 48-goal scorer.
David Pastrnak walks Shayne Gostisbehere and opens the scoring for Boston pic.twitter.com/r7oQoub943
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) February 4, 2021
Posting 5-2-7 numbers in three Boston victories, Pastrnak was named the NHL’s First Star of the Week and is now a creeping up again in the Hart Trophy odds. He’s collected points in all four of his games since returning from offseason hip surgery.
Zero Zibanejad
While Pastrnak has immediately ignited, the Rangers are still waiting for something to light a fire under forward Mika Zibanejad. Through 11 games, he is sitting with one goal and two assists.
It’s been eight games since Zibanejad scored a goal. He’s contributed one assist through those eight games.
Mika Zibanejad talks about if he's frustrated with the offensive chances of late:
"I'm trying to work through it" pic.twitter.com/E3fVLYV6WG
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) February 9, 2021
Zibanejad led the Rangers last season with 41 goals. However, he contracted COVID-19 during training camp, causing him to miss most of camp.
Injury Report
As they arrive in the Big Apple, the Bruins are also a healthier bunch. Both forward Jake DeBrusk and defenseman Matt Grzelcyk will be back in the lineup. Each was missing from action due to lower-body injuries.
Boston forward Jack Studnicka, out the past four games with an upper-body ailment, has resumed skating, but in a non-contact jersey. Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy collided with teammate Trent Frederic during Monday’s practice and ending up chipping a tooth. It’s expected he’ll be good to go on Wednesday, though.
Charlie McAvoy is practicing.
— Fluto Shinzawa (@FlutoShinzawa) February 9, 2021
The Rangers are hopeful that defenseman Brendan Smith (upper-body injury) will be good to go Wednesday. However, fellow rearguard Jack Johnson (groin) will miss his sixth straight game.
Forward Colin Blackwell (upper-body injury) is questionable for New York.
Trendspotting
The Bruins opened 1-3 on the road before getting on their current three-game roll. Boston has scored four or more goals in six of the last eight games. Three of the Bruins’ last four games have gone over.
The Bruins have scored at least three goals in five straight games when facing the Rangers. Three of Boston’s wins during this current four-game run of success against the Rangers were multi-goal verdicts.
Seems like Cassidy will roll out five forwards (Krejci, Marchand, Pastrnak, Bergeron, Ritchie) on the top power play unit.
However, Boston will also try to rotate both Grzelcyk/McAvoy in as the fifth skater up on the blue line.
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) February 9, 2021
The Rangers have been shutout twice this season, both times by the New York Islanders. On average, Boston is outscoring New York by half a goal (3.1-2.6) and allowing nearly a half-goal less than the Rangers (2.2-2.6).
Boston’s power play is clicking at 33.3%, compared to 13.6% for the Rangers.
Pick: Boston Bruins (-148)
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
