Colorado @ N.Y. RANGERS
N.Y. RANGERS -½ +210 over Colorado

Pinnacle -½ +192 Bet365 -½ +210 SportsInteraction N/A 5DIMES -½ +200 888Sport -½ +191

Posted at 2:30 PM EST. 

NY. RANGERS -½ +210 over Colorado

7:35 PM EST. Regulation only. The Avs are truly legit and it scares up somewhat that they didn’t score last night against the Islanders because they might bury six here but we’ll let the chips fall where they may. The Avalanche will play their third game in four days and tail end of back-to-back here so they are in a worse scheduling spot than the Rangers. Thus, we’re not fading the Avs, we’re fading both the situation they are in and the price. One of the other reasons Colorado is overpriced here is because the Rangers are going with a first time starting goaltender.

Welcome to the three-headed goalie monster known as the New York Rangers. The team has recalled top prospect Igor Shesterkin from the minor leagues, giving them three netminders on the roster. Henrik Lundqvist and Alexandar Georgiev remain. This recall has nothing to do with any health issues.

It is important to note that Shesterkin, who signed his entry-level contract in the summer, had a European Assignment Clause and could have exercised it to return to the KHL. Given that he is seen as the future in goal for the Rangers, they obviously didn’t want that to happen, though it is not actually clear if he had threatened to use it at this time. Instead, this may simply be a situation that New York’s front office was always planning for. Lundqvist is getting closer to the end of his career, and though Georgiev has been excellent this season, the team still needs to find out just how good Shesterkin can be at the NHL level.

All indicators at this time point towards his skill translating quite well. The 6’2″ netminder was a fourth-round pick in 2014 but quickly became one of the top goaltending prospects in the world. In his final three seasons in the KHL with St. Petersburg, Shesterkin recorded .937, .933 and .953 save percentages. Any doubt that he could perform like that in North America has been put to bed with a .932 save percentage through 23 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack.

It is clear to us that the Rags want to see what they have in Shesterkin before making any moves. If he plays great, Georgiev, with his .913 save percentage is great trade bait, as there are plenty of teams who could use a talented young goaltender to either serve as a backup or tandem starter. Georgiev is also a restricted free agent after this season, meaning he’ll be looking for a raise of his own. Lundqvist still has one more season on his deal at $8.5M. That’s the story with Shesterkin and when a first time goaltender makes his debut, the team almost always steps up their game in support of their new teammate.

Aside from that, the Rangers are a dangerous team with a boatload of talent throughout the lineup. This team is on the verge of being a serious contender and that should take place next year. The Rangers are almost always a live dog and at this price at home in this spot, we’ll gladly see where the chips fall.

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Our Pick

N.Y. RANGERS -½ +210 (Risking 2 units - To Win: 4.20)

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Chicago +167 over Ottawa