Keith Yandle faces his former team for the first time as a member of the New York Rangers. The stellar defenseman was part of a multi-player deal which moved him from Arizona to New York at the trade deadline last season. One of the young players that the Rangers shipped to Arizona last season, Anthony Duclair has thrived in his new environment as the Coyotes look to be one of this year’s surprise teams after winning their first three games.
Line: Arizona Coyotes (+190) at New York Rangers (-230); total 5.0 – view all NHL lines
Betting on the Arizona Coyotes
Anthony Duclair loves warm, sunny Arizona just fine after being shipped from New York last season. He leads the Coyotes with five goals this season, three coming from a hat trick in a 4-0 victory over Anaheim last Wednesday.
[sc:NHL240 ]While Duclair could certainly light the lamp, Arizona’s defense has been patchy at best in losing their last three games. Goaltender Mike Smith has surrendered 11 goals on 85 shots in the losing streak. He gave up three goals in the first 27 minutes against Minnesota last Thursday. Smith was also horrible against Boston, allowing five goals on Saturday.
Smith will need to hold up in this matchup as he’s in for quite a goalie battle against New York’s Henrik Lundqvist. Duclair may not enjoy as much success against New York’s franchise net minder, but he could have some support from center Max Domi and right winger Tobias Rieder, who have three goals apiece.
In a matchup against one of the better goalies in the league, the Coyotes will need Martin Hanzal to find as many opportunities for his teammates. Hanzal leads the Coyotes with eight assists this season. Finding open teammates should have a few bounces going in Arizona’s favour.
Smith has lost four straight at Madison Square Garden.
Betting on the New York Rangers
While New York certainly enjoyed young goalie Antti Raanta’s shutout in his Rangers debut, 4-0 at home against San Jose, they’ll once again put their trust on the always reliable King Henrik. Lundqvist started the first six games for New York, going 3-2-1 with a 2.16 GAA and .931 save percentage. But a lack of goal support has led to losses in the last three, one in overtime.
The Rangers flexed some muscle on offense in the big victory against the Sharks. Marc Staal, Mats Zuccarello, Jesper Fast and Viktor Stalberg all scored for the Rangers. There’s also sensational rookie Oscar Lindberg, who shares a team-high four goals with Zuccarello. Lost in the Rangers’ top line is Rick Nash, who is yet to tally a goal after scoring a career-high 46 last season.
Of all the Rangers to take the ice, defenseman Keith Yandle will be the one to watch in this matchup. Yandle was acquired in a multi-player trade on March 1 last season. He compiled 65 goals and 246 assists in his eight-plus seasons with Arizona.
While he had just two goals and nine assists in 19 playoff games last season, Yandle did have a plus/minus of seven in those games. Yandle is expected to have an even greater role for the Rangers this season.
The Rangers have won six straight games against Arizona at Madison Square Garden.
Writer’s Prediction
The Rangers take a tight victory. Take the total to go under 5.0 for some value on your bet. Create a betting account now and lace up for some high-speed hockey action.
