Ryan Hodges
Show Bio
Tuesday brings a jam-packed 11-game NHL slate starting at 7:00 pm ET. There are a couple of big-time heavyweight tilts between Stanley Cup hopefuls and a couple of games between teams vying for the lottery. The big attraction to this slate will be the plethora of players in their new sweaters with their new teammates. There is a lot of excitement in a lot of locker rooms after Monday. It will be exciting for fans to watch the new look of their teams and it all starts tonight. Along with our player props, be sure to check out our full game previews for tonight’s matchups.
Artemi Panarin over 1.5 points (+175)
The Rangers had a stellar trade deadline. They added a little bit of everything with the acquisitions of Justin Braun, Andrew Copp, Tyler Motte and Frank Vatrano. Vatrano is penciled in on the second line with Ryan Strome and Artemi Panarin, who is arguably New York’s most valuable player and top offensive performer. Vatrano’s addition to this line really stabilizes the top 6 and he has a goal in his first 3 games played. Getting in a good groove on this new line will be made easier for Panarin against New Jersey.
The Devils really struggle on the defensive side of the puck. New Jersey allows the 4th-most goals per game in the NHL, the 4th-most shots per game, and the 2nd-most goals 5-on-5. Panarin logs the 2nd-most ice time for Rangers forwards and leads the team in scoring as he averages over a point per game. He also leads the team with 9 points in their last 5 games. Panarin is an individual beneficiary of the deadline acquisitions and there is a new energy in the Rangers locker room after Monday. New York is set up to have a big night. Most offense that the Rangers generate will involve Panarin.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for the New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils
Rickard Rakell over 0.5 goals (+175)
Pittsburgh’s addition of Rickard Rakell may be the most impactful deadline acquisition in the NHL for the stretch and playoff run. There aren’t many better spots for a good player to enter than a core that has won 3 Stanley Cups, on a line with Evgeni Malkin, and on the power play. He has a great chance to get off to a hot start with Pittsburgh as they face Columbus. The Blue Jackets also struggle on the defensive side of the puck. They allow the 3rd-most goals per game in the NHL, the most shots on goal per game, and the most goals 5-on-5. There will be plenty of opportunities for the Penguins to generate offense.
Rakell is penciled in on the second line with Malkin and Danton Heinen. He will also see time on the power play with Jeff Carter and Evan Rodrigues. Rakell has 16 goals and 12 assists in 51 games played this season. He averages 18:21 time on ice and 5.12 shot attempts per game. Everything he does well will be amplified in this new fantastic situation. He hasn’t been to the playoffs since the 2017-18 season when Rakell led the Ducks with 69 points in 77 games. This is a good player who is hungry and now is on a historically successful team with historically successful players. Rakell will have some extra juice for this debut against a team that is Swiss cheese in goal prevention.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for the Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins
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