The Ottawa Senators (36-40-4) visit the New York Rangers (54-23-4) Monday at Madison Square Garden. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Senators vs. Rangers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Tied 1-1
The Rangers can wrap up the Metropolitan Division with a win against the Senators, and it would also lock down the President’s Trophy with a victory.
New York punished Ottawa in the most recent meeting in Canada’s capital city on Jan. 27, winning 7-2 as a slight underdog as the Over (6.5) cashed. However, the Sens won 6-2 in the 1st meeting Dec. 12 as home ‘dogs (+125), as the Over (6.5) also came in.
The Rangers posted a 3-2 shootout win against the rival New York Islanders Saturday as the Under (5.5) cashed. That halted a 2-game skid. The Under has cashed in the past 2 outings after a 6-0 run, and 13-1 streak, to the Over.
The Senators have been a thorn in the side of teams lately, winning 3 of the past 4 games, either in overtime or a shootout. That includes a 3-2 SOW at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday as the Under (6.5) connected. The total has gone low at a 6-2-1 clip in the past 9 for Ottawa.
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Senators at Rangers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:12 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Senators +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Rangers -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Senators +1.5 (-135) | Rangers -1.5 (+110)
- Over/Under: 6 (O: -125 | U: +105)
Senators at Rangers projected goalies
Joonas Korpisalo (21-25-4, 3.26 GAA, .890 SV%) vs. Igor Shesterkin (35-17-2, 2.63 GAA, .911 SV%, 3 SO)
Korpisalo is expected to get the starting nod. He allowed 4 goals on 25 shots in a 5-4 SOW against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, and he has allowed a total of just 9 goals across the past 104 shots in 3 starts and a relief appearance since April 6.
Korpisalo took his lumps in the most recent match against the Rangers on Jan. 27 in Ottawa, allowing 4 goals on 17 shots before being pulled midway through the 2nd period.
Shesterkin allowed just 2 goals on 36 shots in the 3-2 SOW against the Islanders Saturday, and he has won 3 of his past 4 outings, and 6 of the past 8 assignments. He has also allowed 3 or fewer goals in each of his 5 April starts, and 9 of his past 10 starts since March 17.
Shesterkin allowed 5 goals on 35 shots in the 6-2 loss at Ottawa on Dec. 5, his only appearance against the Sens this season.
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Senators at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 4, Senators 3
Moneyline
The Rangers (-225) will set you back more than 2 times your potential return. While New York has a lot to play for, it’s a bit of a risky play given how the Senators (+185) are playing lately.
New York should be able to get the job done, but there is a lot of pressure to secure the team’s 1st division title since 2014. Expect this to be nip and tuck throughout.
PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
The SENATORS +1.5 (-135) aren’t priced out of line if you’d like a little insurance, but you can’t trust Ottawa straight up.
The Sens have made life difficult for a number of playoff hopefuls lately. The Rangers are into the postseason, regardless on Monday’s outcome, but the Senators could play spoiler, denying the Rangers the No. 1 overall seed, and potentially the division title.
Over/Under
OVER 6 (-125) is worth a look, but go lightly with a half-unit play at most.
The Senators cashed the Over last time out in a SOW against the Canadiens, and the total has gone high in the 2 previous regular-season matchups with the Rangers.
New York has hit the Over in 6 of the past 8 games, and 13 of the past 16 outings since St. Patrick’s Day.
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