Avalanche vs Rangers Prediction, Odds & Best Bets | NHL Bets (2/5): Stars Take Center Stage in NYC

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With the All-Star Break in the rearview, NHL enthusiasts have a potential Stanley Cup Final matchup on their hands when the Colorado Avalanche (32-14-3) and New York Rangers (30-16-3) collide at 7 p.m. ET in one of two games scheduled for Monday, Feb. 5.

GAME DAY. pic.twitter.com/6GjZVCz8Dc

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 5, 2024

The Avalanche extended their winning streak to three games before the All-Star Break, most recently notching a 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Jan. 26. Meanwhile, The Rangers last picked up a 7-2 comeback victory against the Ottawa Senators on Jan. 27, leaving time to tell if they can pick up from where they left off.

As for NHL futures markets, things look bright for these clubs. Colorado is currently tied for the second-best 2023-24 Stanley Cup odds (+800) while New York is in a tie for eighth (+1200), per Bovada.

You won’t want to miss all of the Avalanche vs. Rangers betting opportunities, so let’s check out predictions and best bets for tonight’s affair.

Avalanche vs Rangers NHL Betting Tonight (2/5)

Avalanche vs Rangers Matchup Information

• Matchup: Colorado Avalanche (32-14-3, 12-9-3 Away) vs. New York Rangers (30-16-3, 15-7-0 Home)
• Venue & Location: Madison Square Garden (New York, NY)
• Date: Monday, Feb. 5, 2024
• Game Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Avalanche vs. Rangers: ESPN+

Avalanche vs Rangers NHL Betting Odds

Rangers vs. Avalanche odds are courtesy of Bovada as of Monday, Feb. 5 at 9:57 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Avalanche vs Rangers Puck Line

• Colorado Avalanche +1.5 (-260)
• New York Rangers -1.5 (+215)

Rangers vs Avalanche Over/Under

• Over 6.5 Goals (-103)
• Under 6.5 Goals (-117)

Avalanche vs Rangers Moneyline

• Colorado Avalanche (-108)
• New York Rangers (-112)

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• Colorado is 4-1 straight up in its last five games vs. the Rangers.
• The Rangers are 1-4 straight up in their last five games played in February.
• The total hit the Over in each of Colorado’s last five road games.
• The total hit the Over in seven of the Rangers’ last nine home games.
• The total hit the Over in six of the last nine Avalanche-Rangers matchups at Madison Square Garden.

Avalanche vs Rangers Prediction & Pick (2/5): Potential Stanley Cup Preview?

The Avalanche and Rangers have been two of the best teams throughout the 2023-24 NHL season. In fact, both teams currently lead their respective divisions ahead of tonight’s affair. Colorado sits atop the Central Division with 67 points while New York leads the Metropolitan with 63 points.

Both clubs are also loaded with some of the best players in the league. For example, the Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon is currently Bovada’s -130 favorite to be named the 2023-24 Hart Memorial Trophy Recipient. The veteran forward is tied for the NHL lead with 53 assists while his 84 points only trail the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov (85).

Having said that, the Rangers’ Artemi Panarin — who has 30 goals and 66 points in 49 games — is tied for the sixth-best MVP odds at +2800.

Colorado defenseman Cale Makar (58 points) is also a close second (+135) in the Norris Trophy race while New York’s Adam Fox (37 points) sits eighth.

Speaking of the Rangers, goaltender Igor Shesterkin has the seventh-best Vezina Trophy odds (+2500) after going 19-12-1 with a 2.86 goals-against average and .899 save percentage through 32 appearances. Alexandar Georgiev (+7500, 17th) has put up similar numbers, tallying a 27-11-2 record with a 2.88 GAA and .898 SV% with two shutout wins in 41 games.

The Rangers and Avalanche are loaded with award-caliber players.

In terms of team success, the Avalanche pace the NHL with 3.84 goals per game while the Rangers sit 12th (3.27). On the flip side, it’s New York that allows the ninth-fewest GPG (2.86) whereas Colorado surrenders 3.10 (T-17th).

As for special teams, each side boasts a top-10 power-play unit as the Avalanche score on 25.7% of opportunities (T-6th) while the Rangers own a 27.2% success rate (3rd). Their penalty kills are nearly equal, too, with Colorado and New York killing 82.1%(10th) and 82.7% (T-8th) of penalties, respectively.

Having said that, this is the first time these clubs are colliding since Dec. 9, 2022. The Rangers won 2-1 in a shootout that night, marking the only victory in their last five encounters with the Avalanche. In fact, New York hasn’t defeated Colorado at home in over four years, losing the last two encounters at Madison Square Garden 10-5 on aggregate.

Do the Rangers have what it takes to pick up a rare victory over the Avalanche tonight?

Although both clubs are among the league’s best, only one can win tonight and I’m going with the Avalanche. They had a ton of momentum ahead of the All-Star Break, winning three straight and 11 of their 14 outings. The Rangers, meanwhile, have dropped four of their last 12 contests and need to show more consistency. Given the way that Colorado has handled New York in recent years, I like the visitor’s chances of success.

Elite teams do tend to step up against each other, which is a reason why I’m taking the Under on the 6.5-goal total. After all, the last five Avalanche-Rangers games saw an average of 5.4 goals scored, finishing with fewer than 6.5 in all but one of those contests. Considering how they could also be a bit rusty following the All-Star Break, I won’t be shocked if there are fewer goals than expected tonight.

Avalanche vs Rangers Prediction: COL wins

Best Avalanche vs Rangers NHL Bet: u6.5 Total Goals (-117)

Get 50% up to $750 on this pick over on Bovada

Best Avalanche vs Rangers NHL Player Prop (2/5)

As he continues to prove why he’s one of the NHL’s best players, let’s take Nathan MacKinnon to record 5+ shots on goal for the best Avalanche vs. Rangers player prop.

MacKinnon knows how to put rubber on the net, finishing with at least five shots 19 times so far this season. Five of those instances occurred across his last eight games alone – a span where he’s averaging 5.1 SOG per game. Additionally, he made good on this prop bet in four of his last six road games.

Throw in the fact that he’s also 4-1 on this prop in his last five games against the Rangers and it’s easy to love the value that comes with this MacKinnon-centric bet.

Best Avalanche vs Rangers Prop Bet: Nathan MacKinnon to Record 5+ Shots on Goal (+135)

Get 50% up to $750 on this pick over on Bovada