The New York Rangers (13-10-5) head to take on the Colorado Avalanche (13-10-1), who will be hoping to end their losing run, at Ball Arena on Friday. New York is coming off a 5-1 win over the Golden Knights on Wednesday. The Rangers committed five penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Mika Zibanejad led the Rangers with two goals.
Igor Shesterkin saved an impressive 25 of 26 shots (.961%) in the win. Colorado lost for the third game in a row, falling 4-0 to the Bruins on Wednesday. Alexandar Georgiev saved only 33 of 37 shots against (.891%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Avalanche won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 3-2 (SO) victory in October, their fourth straight win against New York. Valeri Nichushkin and Logan O’Connor were on the scoresheet for Colorado. Barclay Goodrow led New York with two points (1G 1A). Georgiev got the win, saving 44 of 46 shots (.956%).
FACING OFF
New York is averaging 3.11 goals per game for the season, 18th in the NHL, and they are taking on an Avalanche team that is allowing 2.92 goals a game (10th). Meanwhile, Colorado has found the net 3.17 times a game on average, 16th in the league, and the Rangers are allowing opponents to score 2.86 goals per game (9th).
The Avalanche’s 30.34% power play percentage is the second-best in the league, while the Rangers rank 17th with a conversion rate of 22.34%. In terms of defending power plays, New York has the league’s 16th-ranked PK% at 78.16%, while Colorado is 22nd at 75.29%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 33 and 32 points this season, Artemi Panarin and Zibanejad have been the top skaters for the Rangers. Panarin is among the league leaders with his 27 assists (6th). In the net, Shesterkin (11-4-4) is New York’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.67 GAA and a .910% save percentage.
Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen lead the Avalanche in scoring with 34 and 32 points, respectively. MacKinnon ranks 10th in the league in points scored on the season.
He has a league-best 26 assists and eight goals (), while Rantanen has 15 goals (8th) and 17 assists () in 24 games. Georgiev (11-4-1) has the best goals against average for Colorado at 2.68. He has a save percentage of .920%.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is 8-4-1 away from Madison Square Garden this season. Colorado is 5-4-1 at Ball Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
NY Rangers (-150)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our NHL hub page for all your hockey needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
