The Detroit Red Wings are slated for a matchup with the New York Rangers on home ice after a lengthy road trip that worked out quite well for them. They took home eight points out of 10 possible in what was arguably one of the best road trips for the team as of late. They sealed it off with a 3-1 victory over the Alex Ovechkin-less Capitals, who did not put up much of a fight.
For the Detroit Red Wings, this is an opportunity to make that push for the playoffs, and more wins against a conference opponent will only help. The Rangers come to town after dropping their last two contests but are 7-1-2 in their previous ten games.
They added Vladimir Tarasenko as their big mid-season acquisition, and with 75 points, they hold down the third spot in the Metropolitan Division. It’s going to be a tall task for the Red Wings to go out and quiet the Rangers’ offense and also be able to get the puck behind Igor Shesterkin.
The Red Wings have been playing very well and performing above the level many expected. As they look to take on what will be a post-season contender in the Rangers, it will be interesting to see how the Red Wings handle that pressure.
Detroit Red Wings game information and prediction vs. Rangers
The Rangers’ offense may not be atop the league in scoring goals. Still, there will be plenty for the Red Wings defenders to deal with as players like Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Tarasenko are flying around the ice looking for ways to score.
Plus, the Rangers have help from the blueline in a Norris-winning defenseman in Adam Fox, who will distribute the puck from the point and let the puck rip as well. Shesterkin is steady between the pipes, and this game could be tough, even with the Red Wings’ offense firing on all cylinders as of late.
Game: Detroit Red Wings (27-21-8) v.s. New York Rangers (33-15-9)
When: Thursday, February 23rd
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena
Where to Watch: Bally Sports Detroit
Odds: According to DraftKings, the New York Rangers are the favorite on the Moneyline with a -165 payout. The Detroit Red Wings have a +140 payout on the Moneyline but are the favorite on the Puck Line at +1.5 with a -180 payout. The Rangers are -1.5 with a +155 payout. The over/under is set at 6.0, with the over favorited with a -120 payout. The under holds a +100 payout.
Prediction: This might be a poor choice and a bit of fandom bleeding into the betting prediction, but I’m rocking with the Red Wings. They’re back on home ice; I’d like to think the fans realize that the Red Wings are very much alive on a post-season run. That road trip solidified it. I just have a feeling that the ice tilt should be very much alive. Again, I may very well be eating my words by the end of the game, but I think the Red Wings have momentum right now, which is exactly what this team needs.
Give me the Red Wings Moneyline. I’d probably take the under in a Husso/Shesterkin matchup, but something about how the Red Wings have been playing has me thinking that they might just be able to sneak out a win against the Rangers and get a couple of goals past to Shesterkin to take it home.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.