Anaheim Ducks vs New York Rangers Betting Picks

Minus goalie Igor Shesterkin and defenseman Adam Fox, the Rangers' defense has collapsed. New York is giving up an average of 5.5 goals in its last six games since Shesterkin was last in the net. Shesterkin remains out with a lower-body injury. Backup Rangers goalie Jonathan Quick has a 3.13 GAA and .887 SV%. The Rangers do score better on the road. They are averaging four goals a game during their past four away contests. The Ducks do not pose much of a defensive challenge. They rank 31st defensively, allowing an average of 3.6 goals a game. Anaheim is much better on the offensive end, ranking 13th in scoring and fourth in shots on goal. The Ducks have been good for at least three goals in 10 of their last 14 home games, scoring four or more goals in seven of these games. Take the OVER.

Anaheim has been an enormous OVER team this season, ranking second in scoring, 24th defensively, and 28th in penalty killing. The Ducks are 20-12 to the OVER this season for 63%. The Ducks should be energized offensively, especially in this matchup with Chris Kreider returning to New York to face his long-time former team. Kreider is third in Rangers history with 326 goals. Anaheim has given up an average of four goals a game in its last three games. The Rangers have started to score more at home. They defeated Montreal 5-4 in overtime at Madison Square Garden two days ago. Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin is tied for the fifth-most points in the league since Nov. 7. J.T. Miller has also been hot for the Rangers with 11 points in his last 11 games after a slow start. Take the OVER.

Anaheim brought in defenseman Brian Dumoulin in the offseason, a skilled player in the defensive zone to help with a young core of defensemen. That's been the biggest improvement for the Ducks, ranked eighth in goals given up (2.67 per game), fourth in save percentage (.931), plus 11th in shots on goal allowed. Anaheim is on a 9-5 run UNDER the total, including 4-1 on the road. New York's defense is fourth in goals allowed (2.14 per game) and fifth in save percentage (.928). The Rangers are on a 15-10-1 run UNDER the total. Play Anaheim/New York UNDER the total. 

New York has beaten the Ducks seven of the past nine meetings, including 5-1 on Dec. 15 in the only meeting this season. The Rangers will look to snap a two-game skid after losing the first two games of this road trip to Vegas and Los Angeles. Anaheim has lost nine of its past 11 games and the Ducks are ahead of only San Jose in the Pacific Division. The Ducks average only 2.52 goals per game and they have scored more than three goals just twice their past 10 games. Igor Shesterkin is probable for the Rangers with an 18-11-0 record and 2.84 goals-against average. Lukas Dostal is expected in net for the Ducks and he is 7-10-1 with a 3.55 GAA. New York has won 16 of 21 versus the Pacific Division and Anaheim has lost 40 of its past 53 home games. Take the Rangers.