Predators vs Rangers Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Offenses Fall Short at MSG

The New York Rangers have had quite the emotional week, winning three straight games at home against Metropolitan Division opponents, but now they're welcoming in a Nashville Predators team that's in the hunt for the playoffs, sitting just five points back of the second Wild Card position. 

The Rangers have won five of their last six games and are buzzing right now, but they might be due for a letdown. The Predators, meanwhile, have lost two in a row and will be itching to get back into the win column. 

Both teams are playing the second leg of a back-to-back as well as their third in four nights. And despite the fact we're likely getting two backup goalies, I still see it being a low-scoring affair. 

Find out why in my NHL betting picks for Rangers vs. Predators below. 

Predators vs Rangers best odds

Predators vs Rangers picks and predictions

The New York Rangers have played straight games where they've really had to ramp up their emotions in order to play a playoff-type of style and tonight they’re going to need to find that once again.

However, those big wins — like last night's 6-0 victory over Pittsburgh - are oftentimes followed up with a letdown performance because it's hard to match those emotions. 

The Nashville Predators have looked really strong defensively of late, allowing just 10 goals in their last five games. Kevin Lankinen is most likely going to get the start for the Preds and his last two games have been phenomenal, winning both and skating to a 0.96 GAA and .966 SV%.

Similarly, New York has allowed just nine goals over their last five.

Both teams have been playing in relatively low-scoring games lately, with the Under hitting in five of the last six Nashville games and four out of the last five times that these two teams have met. I like those trends to continue tonight. 

My best bet: Under 6 (-115 at BetMGM)

Predators vs Rangers moneyline analysis

These teams haven't seen one another since November and both teams are in completely different scenarios.

The Rangers are sitting pretty comfortably right now in the Metropolitan and have all but secured a playoff spot, but the Preds are in the opposite situation, sitting five points back from the playoffs and needing all the wins they can get.

Nashville hasn't had the toughest schedule of late, but this is definitely going to be a game they will get up for. Teams from the Western Conference love it when they get their chance to play at MSG.

The Preds need to play with a ton of urgency and with not having nearly as many skilled players as the Rangers, they'll have to outwork them to win this game. 

Nashville has already defeated the Rangers once this season and the road team is 6-1 in the last seven meetings between the two. I don’t think the Rangers will be able to raise their intensity level as high as it’s been in the previous three games this week. 

Predators vs Rangers Over/Under analysis

The Rangers and Predators are both at the top of the league when it comes to defensive proficiency, with the Rangers allowing just 2.74 goals per game and the Predators slightly worse at 2.88.

The Under has hit in four of New York's last five games and in eight of Nashville's last 10.

We typically see teams start to gear up for the playoffs with a bigger focus on defense and that's exactly the kind of effort we can expect tonight. 

With both teams playing their third game in four nights, we can expect fatigue to hinder goal-scoring and as such, result in a low-scoring affair. 

Predators vs Rangers betting trend to know

The Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings. Find more NHL betting trends for Predators vs Rangers.

Predators vs Rangers game info

Predators vs Rangers key injuries

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