Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NHL match.
This game looks close, with bookmakers offering roughly equal odds on the Detroit Red Wings and the New York Rangers.
Detroit Red Wings
However, the Detroit Red Wings have been settled in the play-off positions for a while, unlike the New York Rangers. The hosts are second in the Atlantic Division. Their power play is much stronger (22.7% against 11.1%), and even with the visitors’ ninth-ranked penalty kill in the league (83.3%), it does not outperform the Red Wings’ special teams (87.2% — seventh). In the last game, the Vegas Golden Knights halted them (1:0), but that happened on Vegas’ ice.
New York Rangers
For the New York Rangers, things are inverted — they are almost flawless away (six wins from eight) and poor at Madison Square Garden (no wins in six). Do they play on the counter? There is no strict split, and it seems more psychological — perhaps the responsibility in front of the home crowd is weighing on them. Still, it has been easier for the Rangers to score recently: in three of the last five games they scored at least three times.
Detroit Red Wings vs New York Rangers Prediction
The Detroit Red Wings must stay especially focused against such an opponent but should not fear them, as they can clear anyone in their path at Little Caesars Arena: five straight home wins, scoring at least four in four of them. Overtime is clearly on the cards for the hosts.
