International politics has cost the New York Rangers their best player. Artemi Panarin is out indefinitely for the Rangers. Panarin has not been silent about his opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin. And the Russian political system countered this week. Specifically, the Russian government claims Panarin abused a woman a couple of years ago. Panarin adamantly denies the charges and is on indefinite leave because of this situation. Panarin supplied most of what little offense the Rangers had. The Boston Bruins have no such problems as the East Division's top team.
Boston Bruins at New York Rangers
When: Sunday, February 28, 2021, 12 p.m. ET
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
TV: NBC
NHL Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Boston Bruins at New York Rangers Bookmaker Wagering Analysis
For this game, the Bruins are going to draw the vast majority of online sportsbook wagering handle. Boston carries the credibility with gamblers of being perennial elite. The Bruins were in the 2019 Stanley Cup Final and are regularly crushing opponents. New York's anemic goal scoring has put them in the back of the pack. Bettors won't want to be handicapped taking New York without Panarin. Further, the Bruins will get a price break as the away team.
Boston Making Bank for Gamblers
Lately, the Bruins have won four of their last six games. Four of those six games went under the NHL Betting total. Boston has a record of 11-3-2 with 7-9 under the total. The Bruins rank 14th for goal scoring and seventh for the power play. Defensively they are 4th for goals against and 3rd for the penalty kill. Boston leads the East Division standings.
Boston goalies Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak have a combined .910 save percentage. Meanwhile, center Brad Marchand leads the Bruins with nine goals, 11 assists, and a plus-nine. Center Patrice Bergeron adds seven goals, 12 assists, and a plus-seven. Also, right wing David Pastrnak brings nine goals, five assists, and a plus-five.
Rangers Without Top Scorer Panarin
New York has lost four of their last six games. Seven of their last eight tilts went under the pro hockey betting total. As a result, the Rangers have a record of 6-7-3 with 4-12 under the total. New York is sixth in the East Division. NHL rankings have the Rangers 25th for goal scoring and 27th for the power play. By contrast, New York is 7th for goals against and 7th for penalty killing.
The big concern for gamblers is the lack of goal scoring for New York. Center Ryan Strome leads the Rangers with five goals and four assists. And then goaltender Igor Shesterkin boasts a .922 save percentage and 2.23 goals against average.
Boston Bruins at New York Rangers Betting Trends
The Bruins have taken ownership of the payout window in their hockey betting series with the Rangers. To show, Boston has paid in six straight games against New York. Four consecutive contests between these teams went under the total. Further, the Bruins have won their last four visits to Madison Square Garden. Three of those four games went under the total.
So far this season, the Bruins have won two in a row over the Rangers. February 10 was a 3-2 Boston win at New York. And then February 12 saw the Bruins win 1-0 at Madison Square Garden. Both games stayed under the total.
Boston Bruins at New York Rangers Bookmaker Free Pick
As mentioned earlier, the Bruins have owned the Rangers in this NHL gambling series. Boston is one of the NHL's best defensive clubs and, most critical of all, the Rangers' already weak offense now missing its best player. This matchup contrast is not a good spot for New York.
Bruins at Rangers Bookmaker Best Bet: Boston Bruins
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