Minnesota Wild at New York Rangers odds, picks and predictions
The Minnesota Wild (5-5-2) play the 2nd contest in a 3-game road trip against the New York Rangers (9-2-1) on Thursday at Madison Square Garden. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Wild vs. Rangersodds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Wild surprised the Rangers 5-4 in a shootout on Saturday in the Twin Cities, and Minnesota topped the New York Islanders on Tuesday by a 4-2 count. The team has scored 3 or more goals in 9 of the past 11 games, while cashing the Over at a 9-1-1 clip during the span.
The Rangers rebounded from Saturday's SOL against the Wild to top the Red Wings 5-3 at MSG on Tuesday as the Over (6) connected. After opening with a 6-1 Under run, the Rangers have seen the total go high in 3 of the past 5 outings.
Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team's out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!
Wild at Rangers odds
FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:16 a.m. ET.
Wild at Rangers projected goalies
Marc-Andre Fleury (3-2-1, 2.69 GAA, .899 SV%) vs. Louis Domingue (1-1-0, 2.02 GAA, .952 SV% in 2021-22 w/Penguins)
Fleury is projected to get the starting nod against the Blueshirts. He has been hot, kicking aside 13 of the 14 shots he faced in relief Saturday against the Rangers, including a ridiculous pad save beauty against Vincent Trocheck in the shootout. He also stopped 27 of 29 shots against the Islanders on Tuesday.
Domingue has been summoned from the minors, as Igor Shesterkin might not be ready to return from a lower-body injury. Veteran Jonathan Quick is also dealing with an upper-body ailment, so it appears Domingue will make his 1st appearance in the NHL since 2021-22 with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Wild at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Wild 4, Rangers 3
The WILD (+102) are a solid value on the road at plus-money. Minnesota has already beaten New York once this week, and now it might get to face a rusty goaltender who has made just 3 NHL starts since the start of the 2020 season with 3 different clubs.
The Rangers (-122) had been red hot, but it will be tough to top an equally hot goaltender in Fleury, while using a retread from the AHL who has seen limited action in the show recently.
The Wild +1.5 (-240) are just too expensive if you prefer insurance, and can't play Minnesota straight up for some reason. The Wild are just 2-6 in the past 8 games, so it makes sense for bettors to have a little consternation. But the play is the Wild straight up due to the injury situation for the Blueshirts.
AVOID.
OVER 6.5 (+100) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at best.
Minnesota is going to score against Domingue, as it has been scoring against pretty much everyone in the NHL this season. The Over is 4-1-1 in the past 6 games on the for the Wild, while cashing in 4 straight meetings with the Rangers, including Saturday.
The Under has been the rule for the Rangers lately, but again, the Over cashed in the first meeting with the Wild, and Domingue could be rusty, letting in plenty.
