New York Rangers vs Colorado Avalanche - Prediction and Odds

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Puck Line Rangers vs Avalanche

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New York Rangers (Away)

Head Coach: David Quinn{All-Time 68-64-18 NYR}

Recently dropping to seventh in the Metropolitan Division, the Rangers are just 6-4-0 across their last ten games and are coming off of a 6-4 loss to the lowly New Jersey Devils. It doesn’t help that the team is now without Chris Kreider, who was injured just a week after being re-signed at the trade deadline.

Check out who are the favorites to win the 2020 Stanley Cup.

Offense

Despite their rank in the standings, the Rangers haven’t underperformed offensively. Boasting Artemi Panarin, the league’s fifth-highest point-getter, the Rangers have combined to score the eighth-most goals this season – 159 of them coming at even strength.

Their power play has also seen plenty of success this year, ranking fifth in the NHL with a 23.58 percent and 50 power-play goals. However, they have allowed six shorthanded goals against.

Ranking only 21st when it comes to shots on goal, the Rangers are also one of the more accurate teams in the league, showcasing a 10.6 shooting percentage; good enough for sixth in the league.

Defense

The defense has been another story for New York, as they have not gone without their challenges this year. The team has allowed the 14th-most goals against this season. Not the worst, but middle of the pack isn’t going to get them far.

The team also has the 12th-worst penalty-killing unit. They have a 78.08 percentage and have allowed 48 power-play goals against. With that said, the Rangers have scored eight shorthanded goals this season.

Luckily, the team has young goalies with promising futures. Currently, the Rangers have allowed the third-most shots against this season but have managed to keep the league’s ninth-best save percentage this year at .910.

Goaltending

New York Rangers’ legend Henrik Lundqvist has been confirmed by the Rangers to start Wednesday night.

Season record: 10-12-3

GAA: 3.16

SV%: .905

SO: 1

Colorado Avalanche (Home)

Head Coach: Jared Bednar{All-Time 144-136-35 COL}

Sitting second in the Central Division, the Colorado Avalanche have gone 7-2-1 over their last ten games, but the next few weeks may be a struggle. Coming off of a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, the Avs are currently one of the most injured teams in the NHL.

Offense

Currently sitting with 225 combined goals this season, the Avalanche rank behind only two other teams for the league’s lead – the Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning. They are the only Western Conference team ranked in the top-eight.

The Avs round out the top-ten when it comes to shots on goal and have a very impressive 10.5 shooting percentage – the seventh-best in the NHL this season.

Surprisingly, the Avalanche have struggled on the power play this year. Their 18.86 percent ranks them 20th in the league. To boot, the team has allowed six short-handed goals against while on the man-advantage.

Defense

As it is with goals scored, the Avs also rank third when it comes to the fewest goals allowed. Only the Bruins and Stars have allowed fewer this season.

Their penalty killers have fared better than their power-play unit this year, currently ranking 13th with 81.22 percent and eight short-handed goals scored.

Like their opponents, Colorado has also had an impressive year when it comes to goaltending. The team has allowed the 16th-most shots against this season but have managed to keep a combined save percentage of .915, which is the fourth-best save percentage in the entire league.

Goaltending

Although still listed as day-to-day, it is expected that Philipp Grubauer will get the start Wednesday night for the Colorado Avalanche.

Season record: 18-12-4

GAA: 2.63

SV%: .916

SO: 2

Last Head-to-Head

These two teams last went toe-to-toe on earlier this year on January 7. The New York Rangers were able to out-muscle the Avalanche, defeating Colorado by a final score of 5-3.

What’s at Stake?

This is a big game for both teams.

Although not in the same conference, and not able to get in each other’s way in the standings, both teams need the two points to climb further into playoff contention.

For the time being, Colorado has a good cushion to fall back on, but with all the latest injuries, every win is important. The Rangers currently sit just five points back of the top wildcard spot.

Questions to Answer

How will Colorado be able to keep things together while missing so much of their offensive power?

Do they have enough in the tank to find a way to beat the strong goaltending possessed by the Rangers?

How will the Rangers fare against the speed of the young Colorado Avalanche – especially being without their fastest skater Chris Kreider?

Which goalie will come out to make a statement – Grubauer coming off of injury or Lundqvist, who is having one of the weakest seasons of his career?

F Micheal Haley – DL (upper-body)

F Chris Kreider – DL (foot)

Colorado Avalanche Injury Report

F Colin Wilson – DL (lower-body)

F Nazem Kadri – DL (lower-body)

F Matt Calvert – DL (lower-body)

G Philipp Grubauer – DL (lower-body)

F Nathan MacKinnon – day-to-day (lower-body)

F Andre Burakovsky – day-to-day (lower-body)

F Mikko Rantanen – DL (upper-body)

D Cale Makar – day-to-day (upper-body)

New York Rangers vs Colorado Avalanche FAQ