Edmonton Oilers (13-15-1) vs. New York Rangers (22-7-1)
Edmonton Oilers vs. New York Rangers 12/22/23 – As part of an exciting NHL Game Day insights feature, Edmonton Oilers with their struggling record will meet up against New York Rangers with their strong standing on Friday at Madison Square Garden. Fans and bettors alike should look forward to an intriguing regular season encounter between two teams boasting distinct strengths and styles on the ice – providing fans and bettors alike an entertaining evening!
The Edmonton Oilers’ offense, led by Connor McDavid and featuring Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard has been one of the highlights of their play this year. McDavid, with 41 points from 26 games — 11 goals and 30 assists — stands as its backbone, while Leon Draisaitl provides significant offensive firepower with power plays being especially noteworthy under him. Edmonton will test Rangers defense despite its overall stability by unleashing such offensive threats as they appear.
On the other side of things, New York Rangers’ offense is equally formidable. Led by Artemi Panarin – who boasts 42 points from 16 goals and 26 assists – with 41 goals and 26 assists this season alone, Artemi leads with 42 points including 16 goals and 26 assists to spearhead their charge. Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad add their unique blend of skill and tactical acumen into this formidable attacking unit, perfectly equipped to exploit any vulnerabilities found within Edmonton Oilers defensive setup when traveling away.
Edmonton Oilers vs. New York Rangers Game Info
| When: | Friday, December 22, 2023, at 7:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Madison Square Garden |
| TV: | ESP+ |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Stuart Skinner vs. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin
Stuart Skinner has manned the crease in 21 contests for the Oilers this season with mixed results. His counting stats include 11 wins, 8 losses and a tie through those games. However, Skinner’s peripheral metrics leave much to be desired with a 3.04 goals against average and .885 save percentage. Those numbers rank toward the bottom half of the league among regular starters. Still just 24 years old, Skinner has flashed potential in stretches but lacks consistency right now, especially on the road where his play drops off. For a visiting Edmonton team struggling defensively, they will need their goaltender to elevate his play.
In contrast, Igor Shesterkin provides the Rangers with an undeniable advantage in net. After posting staggering numbers en route to the Vezina last season, Shesterkin has come back down to Earth slightly with a 2.91 GAA and .904 save percentage through 18 starts. However, those metrics still range from above average to elite by NHL standards. Shesterkin utilizes tremendous technique and reflexes to deny shooters time and again. On home ice this year, he owns pristine 2.29 GAA and .927 save percentage marks through 12 outings. With the Rangers also playing tighter defense in front of their star goalie, Shesterkin should have the upper hand versus Edmonton’s scorers. New York’s defensive edge and superior netminder look positioned to stymie the Oilers attack.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for this matchup are yet to be determined. However, given the Rangers’ stronger record and home advantage, they are likely to be favored. Bettors should consider these factors, alongside the teams’ recent form and head-to-head records, when evaluating the odds.
Edmonton Oilers Betting Trends
The Oilers are just 2-3 straight up and against the spread over their last five contests. Their inability to win on the road reared its ugly head again during this stretch with just a 1-2 record away from home. Nine of Edmonton’s last 16 road games have also gone over the total, signaling defensive issues when not in friendly confines. Connor McDavid has continued producing at an elite clip, recording 10 points during this five-game sample.
New York Rangers Betting Trends
Over their past five games, the Rangers have gone 3-2 straight up and 2-3 against the number. The over has hit just once in those contests, held down by Shesterkin’s strong play in net recently. New York remains one of the top home teams in hockey with a mark of 10-3 against the puck line at MSG. Artemi Panarin leads the squad with 18 points in 14 home games while the team scores nearly a goal more per game.
Edmonton Oilers vs. New York Rangers 12/22/23 Betting Picks
Based on the analysis and recent trends, this game presents a challenging scenario for the Oilers, who face a formidable opponent in the Rangers. The Oilers will need to leverage their offensive strengths and hope for a standout performance from Skinner to counter the Rangers’ balanced attack.
In terms of betting, the Rangers seem to be the safer pick, considering their consistent performance and the advantage of playing at home. Prop bets on key players like Panarin and McDavid could offer additional value, given their consistent scoring records. The over/under will largely depend on the goaltenders’ performances, but given the offensive capabilities of both teams, a high-scoring game seems plausible.
For premium sports predictions, this matchup leans towards a Rangers victory, with their balanced play and home advantage being key factors.
Free Pick and Prediction: New York Rangers 4, Edmonton Oilers 2