The New York Rangers probably wish they could play in a different division right about now.
Two days after dropping a 3-2 overtime decision to Boston, the Rangers and Bruins tee it up one more time in a Friday showdown at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers are big-time underdogs to a Bruins team that has won eight of nine games and owns the second-best record in the NHL at 8-1-2.
These are our favorite NHL free picks and predictions for Bruins vs. Rangers on February 12.
Boston Bruins at New York Rangers Betting Preview
Injuries
Bruins: D Matt Grzelcyk (Doubtful), F Ondrej Kase (Out), D John Moore (Out)
Rangers: F Artemi Panarin (Questionable), D Brendan Smith (Questionable), D Jack Johnson (Questionable), F Colin Blackwell (Out), F Filip Chytil (Out)
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
The Bruins have won the last five meetings between the teams. Find more NHL betting trends for Bruins vs. Rangers.
NHL Sharp Money and Line Movement Report
By Patrick EversonBoston hit the PointsBet USA moneyline at -165 Thursday evening, stretched to -190 by lunch hour today and as of 4 p.m. is at -185, with New York +155. Ticket count is almost 5/1 and money 4/1 on the Bruins. The total opened 5.5 (Over -120) and adjusted to 5.5 (Over -115) on two-way action, with 53 percent of tickets on the Under and 58 percent of money on the Over.
Check out the full line movement for this gameMoneyline Pick
Bettors shouldn't overthink things here. The Bruins are one of the hottest teams in the NHL at this point in the season, having reeled off four consecutive victories while earning points in 11 of 12 games to kick off the campaign. And Boston has been terrific on special teams, boasting the league's No. 6 power-play unit (31.6 percent) and No. 2 penalty kill (88.4 percent).
The latter stat is the more significant of the two for breaking down this matchup. The Rangers have one of the worst power plays in the league, operating at a dismal 13-percent efficiency rate. And with star forward Artemi Panarin – who leads the team in goals and assists – listed as questionable for this one, it's hard to see the Rangers pulling out the series split here.
We can't recommend the PL play (which lists Boston -1.5 at +141), with six of the Bruins' nine wins coming by a goal. But the ML play feels like a gimme here.
PREDICTION: Bruins (-165)
Over/Under Pick
Rangers games have been low-scoring affairs in recent weeks, with the Broadway Blueshirts having cashed the Under in seven of their previous eight contests. That streak was extended Wednesday night despite the teams combining for 67 shots on goal. The Original Six rivals have now played three straight Unders, averaging just 4.67 combined goals per game over that stretch.
The Rangers can't hope to outgun a Bruins team that features one of the most dangerous trios in the league in Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak. That's particularly true if Panarin is forced to sit this one out – so expect the hosts to double-down defensively and look to win this one in the trenches. And that will probably suit the defensively-elite Bruins just fine.
PREDICTION: Under 5.5 (+100)
Bruins vs Rangers Betting Card
- Bruins (-165)
- Under 5.5 (+100)
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