The Boston Bruins are far and away the hottest team in the National Hockey League right now as they enter this tilt on a six-game winning streak with a record of 9-1-0.
The New York Rangers haven’t looked too shabby either, sporting a three-game winning streak of their own and Igor Shesterkin is starting to get back to his strong play of last season.
Madison Square Garden is going to be an electric factory with these two original six teams on the ice and both playing very well, but the guys in the blue paint might just make the difference in this battle.
Let’s break down why with our Bruins vs. Rangers NHL picks and predictions for Thursday, November 3.
Bruins vs Rangers best odds
Bruins vs Rangers picks and predictions
The New York Rangers offense has been so inconsistent this season — the chances are there, they just haven’t been able to finish. They are struggling mightily to find the back of the net and have statistically become one of the worst offensive teams in the league, even if it might not feel that way.
The Boston Bruins have been absolutely electric, even though a lot of people doubted them coming into the season. Despite missing their star defenseman, Charlie McAvoy, the B’s haven’t had any issues shutting their opponents down. They’re entering the game only giving up 9.15 scoring chances against — the league’s second-best mark — and they’re boasting a 2.60 goals against average, which is bad news for the Rangers.
Linus Ullmark is likely to get the start tonight due to the injury to Jeremy Swayman. He’s tearing it up this season, with an undefeated record of 7-0-0 and a .932 SV%. If the Bruins don’t start Ullmark, they might go to former New York Ranger, Keith Kinkaid who hasn’t appeared in a game yet this season.
In goal for the Rangers tonight will be Igor Shesterkin, who we all know is absolutely incredible. He’s coming off of a 19-save shutout and has won his last three starts, going 6-0-2 on the season. He comes into this game with a .921 SV%, a 2.22 GAA, and a +5.3 GSAx. Greatness is the only thing that is expected of Shesterkin.
Both of these teams are incredibly strong in goal. Ullmark should be the starter for Boston, but if it’s Kinkaid, we all know how well former Rangers perform when they return to MSG and that will be the story in this game. I love the Under.
My best bet: Under 6 (-105 at BetMGM)
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Bruins vs Rangers moneyline analysis
The New York Rangers numbers are misleading because they’ve been playing excellent hockey, yet doing everything but scoring. Their underlying numbers tell us that they are going to explode at some point and find their game at a consistent level. They’re currently on a three-game win streak and are looking to build off of their dominant performance on Tuesday night when they beat the Flyers 1-0 in overtime thanks to the heroics of Chris Kreider.
The Boston Bruins have been surging and are riding a big win as well, coming back from three goals down and beating the Pittsburgh Penguins in overtime. All streaks have to come to an end at some point, and with the Bruins still not being fully healthy, I think it will be hard for them to put up their best fight against the Rangers.
Igor Shesterkin has really found his groove again and I think he will win this game for his team.
Bruins vs Rangers Over/Under analysis
The New York Rangers can’t find the back of the net to save their lives. They come into this game with the third-worst GSAx of -9.15 on a 56.1% expected goals rating. It doesn’t help their chances of scoring playing against the Bruins, who are doing such a strong job under new head coach Jim Montgomery on the defensive side of the puck.
The B’s have been scoring goals at will it seems, but tonight they’re going to have to do that against one of the — if not the — best goaltenders in the league. The Rangers do a strong job at limiting their opponents’ shots, so Boston is going to have to earn every single scoring chance that they get. It won’t be as easy for them tonight as it has been over the course of their six-game winning streak.
This game will have a lot of emotion and the energy will be amazing, but the goaltenders will steal the show.
Bruins vs Rangers betting trend to know
The Under is 5-1 in the last six meetings in New York. Find more NHL betting trends for Bruins vs Rangers.
Bruins vs Rangers game info
| Location: | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date: | Thursday, November 3, 2022 |
| Puck drop: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NESN, MSG |
