Ducks vs Rangers Expert Predictions & Picks
I'm taking the Anaheim Ducks moneyline when they visit New York on Monday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. ET and I'm adding Beckett Sennecke as an anytime goalscorer.
Both teams come in on two-game losing streaks, but they look very different. Anaheim lost twice at home. The Rangers have scored 1 goal in their last 2 games, including a 7-1 hammering in New Jersey. I'll take the team that can't lose on the road at plus money.
Key Stats
- Anaheim has won the last 3 meetings, including both last season
- The Ducks have scored first in 6 of their 7 games
- Sennecke has goals in each of his last 2 games and leads the team with 5
- 26.9% on the power play for Anaheim, with Sennecke on the top unit
Head to Head
The Ducks swept last season's series, winning 4-1 at MSG and 5-3 at home. They're chasing four straight wins over the Rangers for the first time. Monday is the first meeting this season.
Anaheim Ducks Form
Away from home, Anaheim has been a different team. It has won 4-3 in Vegas, 5-1 in Winnipeg and 4-2 in Calgary. The Ducks average 3.14 goals a game, and Cutter Gauthier is back after posting an assist and 4 shots on Friday.
Sennecke is the story. He has 5 goals and 8 points in 7 games, 2 of them on the power play, and he's scored in 4 of 7. He plays 21:13 a night.
Mikael Granlund (upper body) is day-to-day after returning to practice Saturday. Troy Terry and Ryan Poehling are out. Lukas Dostal is projected to start, and his .882 save percentage is the main risk here.
New York Rangers Form
The Rangers are 5-0 at home, and every win came by 2 goals or more. That's the case against my pick, and it's a real one.
But the goal-scoring has dried up. Igor Shesterkin is out for the season and Joonas Korpisalo is hurt, so Dylan Garand is in net and he's been excellent at .927. Alexis Lafrenière has 7 goals already this season and Adam Fox has added 9 assists. The penalty kill is 93.5%, which takes away some of Anaheim's power play edge.