The New York Rangers were dealt their first setback of the 2024-25 NHL season on Thursday night.
Facing a banged-up Florida Panthers team, the Blueshirts fell flat in a 3-1 loss at home.
Despite the result, the process still looked pretty good for the Rangers, they just fell victim to a terrific performance from Sergei Bobrovsky for the Cats.
The Rangers will get a great chance to rebound on Saturday night as massive favorites against the Anaheim Ducks at the Garden.
Not much was expected out of the Ducks coming into 2024-25, but Anaheim is off to a decent start at 3-2-1.
But that record does need some context as two of Anaheim’s three wins came against the winless San Jose Sharks.
Their other victory was over the Utah Hockey Club in their home opener.
You have to give the Ducks credit for getting points however they can in the early going, but the process does look suspect.
Only the Montreal Canadiens are conceding more expected goals (xG) and high-danger scoring chances at 5-on-5 than Anaheim on a per-game basis this season, but luckily for Anaheim goaltender Lukas Dostal has been stupendous to start the year and has helped to paper over those cracks.
That will not be an easy task against the Rangers, who have been an offensive buzz saw outside of the game against the Panthers.
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The Blueshirts lead the NHL in goals per game (4.57), rank second in expected goals per 60 minutes and are third in high-danger scoring chances per 60 at 5-on-5.
The Ducks will have their hands full with the Rangers attack, but Anaheim packs some offensive punch itself.
Throw in that this could be an opportunity for the Blueshirts to give Igor Shesterkin a night off and you have a recipe for a play on the Over.
The play: Rangers-Ducks Over 6.5 goals (FanDuel Sportsbook)
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