| NHL Pick: N.Y. Rangers vs Florida Panthers |
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| Written by Scott Burgess | |||||||
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Friday, 14 March 2008
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 The red hot N.Y. Rangers are moving closer to the top of the Atlantic Standings after their recent 13 game point streak. The Florida Panthers have won five straight and are inching closer to a playoff berth. Betway.com has the Rangers as 2.20 favs to beat the Panthers with the over/under set at 5 ½. Get your NHL Pick in now at Betway.comThe Rangers are on a three game win streak after they recently beat Buffalo 3-2 (SO) on the road. Scott Gomez scored the decisive shootout goal, and goalie Henrik Lundqvist had another strong performance with 21 saves as the Rangers won 3-2 at Buffalo on Monday. Lundqvist has been one of the biggest factors in the resurgence, going 8-0-2 with a 1.97 GAA and two shutouts in his last 11 starts. He is 6-1-0 with a 1.68 GAA and three shutouts in seven career games against Florida. The Rangers offense has averaged 2.60 GAG in their last five games, but their power play has only two goals in eight games. Their defense has been great allowing one goal in four games or 18 penalty kills. The Rangers are 2-0-1 this season against the Panthers (33-31-8), including a 5-0 victory at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 24. The Rangers are just five points back from Atlantic leading N.J. Devils. They are 21-13 ATS on the road. The Panthers are looking for their sixth straight win tonight after they beat the Islanders 4-2 at home. They banged in three third period goals and Tomas Vokoun figures to be back in net after making 27 saves against the Islanders. He has struggled in two of three starts this season against the Rangers, allowing five goals in his each of two losses while stopping 28 shots in a 3-2 shootout win on Nov. 23. Team leader Olli Jokinen has 30 goals, 36 assists for 66pts, but he has no goals and only three assists in his last nine games against New York. The Panthers are averaging 2.80 GAG in their last five games but their power play struggles with three goals in five games or 15 tries. Their defense needs to play better on the penalty kill as they’ve given up three goals in their last two games. The Panthers need a win to come within three points of eighth place in the Eastern playoff race. They are 15-13-2-5 at home.Get your NHL Pick in now! Recent Trends
GAME: New York Rangers (37-24-3-6) at Florida Panthers (33-31-3-5) DATE/TIME: Friday, March 14 - 7:30 PM EST LINE: Betway.com TOTAL: 5.5 PICK: Rangers The Low Down: Rangers have the better goalie and their offense has finally gelled. Get your NHL Pick in now at Betway.com                        |
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