Kings vs Rangers Picks, Predictions, and Odds Tonight

The Rangers are trending the wrong way ahead of the trade deadline, and a red-hot Kings team invades Madison Square Garden on Sunday. Our NHL expert picks expect L.A. to add to New York's woes in this spot.

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The Los Angeles Kings have had a solid start to their East Coast trip thus far, taking three out of a possible four points in their first two games. 

The New York Rangers are in a bit of a slump at the moment, and they are playing the second game of a back-to-back. They enter this contest on a four-game losing streak. 

It’s possible that the Rangers are a little too concerned with all of the outside noise right now regarding the trade deadline, and they are also playing with just 11 forwards. The Kings should be able to take advantage of them today.

Find out my best bet in our free NHL picks and predictions for Rangers vs. Kings on Sunday, February 26. 

Kings vs Rangers best odds

Kings vs Rangers picks and predictions

The New York Rangers haven’t necessarily played badly during their four-game losing streak, but they definitely need to tighten things up from a defensive standpoint. New York has been able to generate scoring chances, but they haven’t been able to finish, while at the same time their opponents have been very opportunistic with their scoring chances.

Reigning Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin hasn’t been at his best as of late, but it is more than likely that Jaroslav Halak will start in this game after Shesterkin was pulled yesterday. It's been a up-and-down year for the 37-year-old Halak, who produced a 1.51 GAA and a .946 SV% in January (four appearances), but a 3.20 GAA and a .884 SV% thus far in February (five appearances).

The Los Angeles Kings are in a very tight playoff race in the Pacific Division, and the two points that are available tonight are crucial for them. Los Angeles might not be perfect defensively, but they are a very strong offensive team, averaging 3.30 goals per game (GPG). They also have the league's second-best power play unit, which clicks at 25.6%. 

The Rangers will be without one their key defenseman in Ryan Lindgren, who was injured on a controversial hit by Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie on Saturday afternoon. The high-danger scoring chances flooded in for the Caps soon after his departure. Lindgren's absence directly inhibits Adam Fox's ability to create offensively, at least at even-strength.

The Kings have won five out of their last seven games, and this is a good spot for L.A. to get the best of a struggling Rangers team, and at a solid price to boot.

My best bet: Kings moneyline (+120 at BetMGM)

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Kings vs Rangers moneyline analysis

Whatever is going on with New York right now will most likely not get fixed until all of the outside drama surrounding Patrick Kane gets resolved. The Rangers have played the past few games with eleven forwards and seven defenseman, but without Lindgren, their lineup will look different. 

Anze Kopitar and Kevin Fiala have been on absolute fire in the last five games for this Kings team. Kopitar has tallied four goals with three assists in that span, while Fiala has three goals and five assists of his own. 

The Rangers' top players have been a little quieter in their last five games. Mika Zibanejad has one goal and three assists, and Chris Kreider has three goals and one assist. The recently-acquired Vladimir Tarasenko has only one assist in his last three games, and posted a -3 rating yesterday, his worst mark as a Blueshirt so far.

The bottom line is that I think the Rangers' struggles will continue in this spot.

Kings vs Rangers Over/Under analysis

The Rangers haven’t been able to find the back of the net very easily during this losing streak, scoring three goals or less in all four of those games. They have tallied only seven total goals in this span, so they are certainly underperforming offensively. 

The Kings have had mediocre goaltending for most of the season, with Pheonix Copely (2.73 GAA, .902 SV%) forced to bear the heavier burden with the decaying Jonathan Quick (3.44 GAA, .879 SV%) serving as the backup, but the team has been playing a little better defensively as of late. Opponents are averaging only 2.57 GPG against L.A. in their last seven contests.

Both of these teams are playing their third game in four nights, and the Under has hit in four of the last five games between these two teams.

The Kings are currently skating to a 2.86 expected goals allowed per 60 minutes (xGA/60), and the Rangers are right behind them with a 2.89 xGA/60. 

I like this one to go below the total, which is listed at 6 at most major sportbooks.

Kings vs Rangers betting trend to know

The Kings have won five out of their last seven games overall. Find more NHL betting trends for Kings vs Rangers.