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N.Y. Rangers vs. Minnesota Wild Wagering Picks & NHL Preview

NY vs Minnesota Hockey Betting?

Playoff Bound Teams Do Battle at Xcel Energy Center – Wild Host Rangers Thursday Night

The New York Rangers and the Minnesota Wild seem like locks to make the playoffs this year but neither played like it in their last outing.

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NY Rangers (35-27-2-2) at Minnesota (34-22-3-6)
When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, March 13, 2014
Where: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Broadcast: MSG, FS-N, FS-WI
Rangers vs. Wild Betting Lines
New York Rangers +1½ -275 +100 Ov 5 -116
Minnesota Wild -1½ +230 -110 Un 5 +105
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Matchup | *Insiders* Preview

The Rangers who lost 3-1 to the unflattering Hurricanes will look to right the ship against a Minnesota team that blew a three goal lead in the third period against Edmonton last time out only to lose 4-3 in a shootout. The Rangers won the only meeting of the teams this season and has taken 10 of 15 games all-time versus the Wild.

The New York Rangers cannot afford many outings like the one they had Tuesday night – they are only one point ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers, three up on the New Jersey Devils and four ahead of the Washington Capitals in the Metropolitan Division meaning that every game is significant.

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The offense has been better since the start of the season – they average an OK 2.54 goals per game but have gotten better as they have acclimated themselves with Alain Vigneault. In seven games since returning from the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Derek Stepan one goal and eight assists although he was held off the score sheet Tuesday. Ryan McDonagh has five points in five games, Kris Kreider has two points in two games and John Moore has two points in three games.

Conspicuously absent for New York’s Hot List are newly acquired Martin St. Louis, Rick Nash and Brad Richards. All are top tier players that will need to step it up down the stretch for New York.

Cam Talbot will get the start Thursday according to Coach Alain Vigneault. Talbot is a very good 11-5-0 this season with a 1.75 goals against average and .938 save percentage. He is 1-1-0 in his last two starts with a 1.51 GAA and .954 save percentage.

The Minnesota Wild would like to have a rewind button after letting one slip away against Edmonton. Not a whole lot went well for them on Tuesday night – the power play struggled and defensive breakdowns were the theme of the third period. The Wild have a ton to play for – they have a three-point lead over Dallas for the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference, with Phoenix just a point behind the Stars.
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Minnesota’s offense is still below average – newcomer Matt Moulson hasn’t quite caught on with the systems that the Wild like to implement. Minnesota averages 2.37 goals per game with only a few on the present Hot List. Jason Pominville and Zach Parise each have three points in their last two games – that’s about it for the Wild. Ryan Suter has two points in his last nine games, Dany Heatley has just one point in five games and Matt Cooke is pointless in three games.

Darcy Kuemper will get the nod between the pipes again for Minnesota even though he started and lost in Edmonton Tuesday. Prior to that loss he had gone 5-0-0 with a 1.17 goals-against average in his previous five.

Dave’s FREE NHL Betting Prediction

A few trends to consider:
• NYR are 7-2 in their last 9 road games.
• NYR are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. Western Conference.
• Under is 17-6-5 in NYR last 28 vs. Central.
• MIN are 6-2 in their last 8 home games.

The New York Rangers have been a better road team than they have been at home this season and they have been good at bouncing back after dud-games. With Cam Talbot between the pipes I like the Rangers to respond in a positive light Thursday. Martin St. Louis will get going and the Rangers solid cast will prove to be the better all around team.

Pick: New York Rangers +100

By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.