The Eastern Conference semifinals of the NHL Playoffs continue tonight with a Game 5 battle between the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins. The game is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on the NBC Sports Network. Currently the odds for the game have the Bruins favored to close out the series.
The New York Rangers will look to not be eliminated tonight in this Game 5 matchup. They were nearly knocked out of the playoffs in Game 4 but were able to come back and win in overtime after trailing by three goals. Bruins goalie goalie Tuukka Rask still is saving better than 92 percent of the shots he is facing right now but obviously wants to improve on his poor showing late in the last game.
Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist knows he has to play better as well. The Bruins have been able to make him look pretty pedestrian the past five or six periods overall. At the same time, he knows that the fluke goal scored against Rask in Game 4 that got the Rangers started is just part of the game. Nathan Horton and David Krejci lead the Bruins in scoring with five goals each this post season. Tyler Seguin gave the Bruins a 3-2 lead briefly in Game 4 but the Rangers were able to battle back and get the win needed to propel them to a fifth game.
Rangers coach John Tortorella knows his team can play better. He has been very vocal and critical of the Rangers in this post season but it won't really mean a whole lot if his team doesn't win tonight. If New York can win tonight's game, it will be a completely different series. Remember, just a few years ago the Bruins blew a 3-0 series lead to the Philadelphia Flyers. Don't also forget that the Rangers trailed 3-2 to the Capitals in the opening round and were able to win back-to-back games to advance in the post season.
Rick Nash had a sweet assist on a goal last game and has to continue to put the puck on the net. He leads the Rangers with 40 shots on goal in the playoffs and Derek Stepan's four goals are best on the team this playoffs. Boston, though, has been very tough in home games this year, going 16-5-3.
We like the Rangers in tonight's game. They should be able to continue to get pressure on Rask and the Bruins and we are looking to get on the New York underdog money in this one. The Rangers have come back before and while it's not likely they can win this series, they are at least able to make it a lot more interesting.
Free Pick: Rangers 3, Bruins 2
NHL Free Picks: New York Rangers at Boston Bruins Betting
What hockey bettors need to know about New York Rangers at Boston Bruins on Saturday (5/25/13) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Steve Fezzik, with Bryan Leonard and Vegas Runner.
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