NHL odds, picks, preview, best bet Friday

It’s simply a tale of two different teams with these Rangers and it ultimately depends on whether they’re wearing blue and inside the 10121 zip code. 

Tuesday’s 3-0 home loss to the Hurricanes was another hallmark example of how the Rangers suffer when the top-six forwards don’t convert. 

This is the same team that just scored nine goals in its previous three games on the road, yet is producing an NHL-worst 7.8 percent shooting percentage. 

What is most perplexing is that the Rangers are still netting out to be a competitive threat at 5-on-5 across the board, ranking No. 3 overall in expected goals rate.

They are better off remaining at 5-on-5 when the opposition commits a penalty, having scored four times in 36 power play chances.

“No one wants to win at home more than we do right now,’’ Mika Zibanejad said. “We have to find a way to put the puck in the net. I don’t think I’ve ever been a part of something like this before, in terms of getting looks and not scoring. That’s frustrating.”

The Rangers return to the road, where they are 6-1-0, on Friday against the Red Wings.

Detroit has benefited in the win column from special teams efficiency, yet it’s allowing over the league average of 27.6 shots.

Between both medium and high-danger shots against, the Wings allow the opposition 9.5 per MoneyPuck. They’ve limited chances more effectively than in previous years, but in doing that, have planted defenseman back in a more conservative system. This causes forwards to collapse and leaves more space for shot-happy puck movers. 

Whether the Rangers can get marks on the scoresheet or not, manufacturing looks has not been a problem for Zibanejad and the rest of the skill forwards. 

Through 14 games, he’s hit three shots or more eight times and leads the Rangers with a 3.1 shot average despite only totaling six points.

On the horrid power play, Zibanejad is generating 14 shots per 60 minutes.

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According to MoneyPuck, Zibanejad ranks within the top 25 players overall in expected goals with 6.1 — a metric that quantifies the chances of a shot becoming a goal based on factors such as shot location, shot type, and game situation.

There’s more credence in betting on the Rangers on the road, but the offensive conversion is still just too flat to back them in what’s close to a pick’em. 

Let’s instead use the prop markets to our advantage and lean into these frustrations as the club’s leaders kick and scream their way through the malaise. 

THE PLAY: Mika Zibanejad 3+ Shots on Goal (-135, FanDuel)

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Why Trust New York Post Betting

Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post. He primarily focuses on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk.