Anaheim Ducks (10-17-0) vs. New York Rangers (19-7-1)
Anaheim Ducks vs. New York Rangers 12/15/23 – The Anaheim Ducks take on the New York Rangers on Friday night in an inter-conference showdown. The Ducks have struggled this year and sit towards the bottom of the Western Conference standings, while the Rangers have been one of the top teams in the East. This matchup provides an opportunity to get some top NHL free picks.
Anaheim Ducks despite their less-than-stellar record have experienced a remarkable resurgence in offensive play this season. Led by right wing Frank Vatrano and his 14 goals and 9 assists, their goal scoring has increased considerably thanks to his synergy with centers Mason McTavish and Ryan Strome – however breaking through New York Rangers defense remains their biggest challenge, thus necessitating counter offensive maneuvers all season long!
New York Rangers have been an impressive offensive team this season. Artemi Panarin led them with 16 goals and 23 assists, as Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad provided multidimensional attack. New York’s offensive depth will put an inconsistent Ducks defense under immense strain; exploiting any gaps might prove key for New York.
Anaheim Ducks vs. New York Islanders Game Info
| When: | Friday, December 15, 2023 at 7:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Madison Square Garden |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender John Gibson vs. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin
John Gibson has faced a high volume of shots this season considering Anaheim’s defensive struggles, posting a mediocre .904 save percentage along with a losing record. However, he showed his capability in the Ducks’ recent upset win over the Islanders, stopping 44 of 46 shots in the victory. When Gibson is on top of his game, he has the reflexes and technique to stifle even the most dangerous offenses. If Anaheim has any chance of stealing a win in this matchup against the Rangers’ skilled attack, they will need their netminder to replicate that dominant performance. He has struggled with consistency, but the talent is there for Gibson to stand on his head.
Meanwhile, Igor Shesterkin hasn’t matched the numbers that earned him the Vezina Trophy last season but remains one of the top goaltenders in the league with a respectable .902 save percentage this year. The Rangers defense limits high-danger chances, easing Shesterkin’s burden. However, he can’t take the Ducks lightly – they’ve rediscovered their scoring touch by tallying 14 goals over their past 4 contests. While New York remains the favorite at home, their netminder must bring his A-game against this plucky Ducks squad that is riding momentum. Shesterkin has shown over the past two seasons he has the quickness and positioning to shut down even the hottest offenses. He’ll need to rely on those strengths to stymy Anaheim’s recently prolific attack.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for this game are currently TBD, highlighting the unpredictability of the matchup. Bettors should consider both teams’ recent performances and individual player stats when making decisions.
Anaheim Ducks Betting Trends
The Ducks are an impressive 4-1 straight up and 4-1 against the spread over their previous 5 outings. They’ve also been solid on the road with an 8-5 cover rate away from home this year. However, Anaheim tends to play low-scoring games, going under the total in 12 of their last 15 overall.
New York Rangers Betting Trends
The Rangers have posted a mediocre 3-2 straight up and 2-3 against the spread record over their past 5 contests. At home, New York is .500 against the number this season at 6-6. The Rangers also typically play higher-scoring affairs, going over the total in 5 of their last 12 games at Madison Square Garden.
Anaheim Ducks vs. New York Rangers 12/15/23 Betting Picks
In conclusion, this game presents an intriguing matchup between the Ducks’ resurgent offense and the Rangers’ solid defense. While the Rangers are likely favorites, the Ducks’ recent form cannot be overlooked. For those looking for premium insights, this game could offer some interesting prop bets, particularly in goal scoring and defensive plays.
The New York Rangers to win, with a close scoreline reflecting a tightly contested game. The over/under could be a critical bet, depending on the final odds, as both teams have shown tendencies to surprise in their scoring.
Free Pick and Prediction: New York Ranger 3, Anaheim Ducks 1