The New York Rangers may be one of the most frustrating NHL clubs to follow. In their second round series with the Ottawa Senators, the Rangers have managed late leads twice in regulation only to lose twice in overtime.
The result is a 3-2 series deficit with Game 6 Tuesday night in Manhattan where the club has had success this post season after a dreadful stretch in the regular season.
New York has benefitted from scoring across their bench and their depth across the bench has been on display throughout the post season.
But a goal here or there in any of the games in Ottawa would have made all the difference and perhaps even seen the Blueshirts resting up for the winners of the Pittsburgh-Washington series.
The problem has been the enthusiasm of the Senators to beat the Rangers and they have never considered sitting back and taking the loss. Their three wins on home ice have been driven by the home fans and the energy from the bench.
If the series goes to a Game 7, the Ottawa arena will be a difference maker.
Ryan McDonagh (two goals and five assists) and Mika Zibanejad (one goal and six assists) lead the Rangers in points in the post season. A few more goals would be a difference for New York form the former Senators forward, Zibanejad.
Henrik Lundqvist has been brilliant in the post and downright mortal at other times including the two losses where the Rangers gave up leads late. His numbers are decent at a .930 save percentage and 2.18 goals against average.
“The Senators are just one win away from making it to the next round, but hockey fans should discard the Rangers yet. They have reached the Eastern Conference Final three times in the past five seasons, and that’s a feat that makes them a great betting pick for Game 6,” says David Strauss, line manager at MyBookie Sportsbook.
But the Rangers need better goaltending and more offensive support form up front and better late-game defense to get past Game 6 Tuesday night and force the series back to Ottawa Thursday.
Game Odds
Game: Ottawa Senators vs New York Rangers
Date: May 9th, 2017
Spread:
Ottawa Senators +1½-210
New York Rangers -1½+175
Total:
O 5 -115
U 5 -105
Moneyline:
Ottawa Senators +150
New York Rangers -180
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