23 RANGERS at 24 KINGS
Take: RANGERS +115
Nice win by the desperate Kings on Thursday night. But I’m not reading much into it as Winnipeg’s two biggest season long issues were in evidence throughout the game. The Jets are very undisciplined and take way too many penalties and their goaltending is terrible. Los Angeles exploited both vulnerabilities and got the two points.
Tonight the Kings step up in class as they host the Rangers. New York is off two straight losses, but they have only lost three in a row once all season. Anti Raanta will get the start in goal in this game, with Henrik Lunqvist slated to return next game, but I have no problem with Raanta in the cage.
The Kings are in must win mode but aside from the win against the Jets, that hasn’t exactly been a plus for them down the stretch. It’s a bigger game for the home team to be sure, but I really can’t see the Kings being favored over NY at this point, and off two losses I will back the Rangers at a plus price.