New Jersey is in a series of poor roles for this game adding to my confidence that the Rangers will win this game and move on to the NHL Playoffs.

Ryan’s NHL 5* Locks

New Jersey at the New York Rangers

12:30 PM ET, April 9, 2011

Rangers favored by -175/155

Line provided by Pinnacle

5* graded play on the Rangers as they take on the New Jersey Devils in NHL action set to start at 12:30 PM ET Saturday, April 9.  My proprietary sports handicapping database and simulator shows a high probability that the Rangers will win this game. The Rangers currently sit in the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but they will need help to maintain that position. This is the Rangers last game of the regular season and they have 91 points. Carolina has two remaining games entering Friday night action and can jump over the New York Rangers with two straight wins.

Carolina is playing Atlanta at the time of this writing Friday night and are defeating them 3-0 through two periods. Presuming they hold onto the win this will force the Rangers to win to have any opportunity to gain the eighth and final playoff spot. Carolina is scheduled to play the Tampa Bay Lightning Saturday night at 7:00 PM ET and are currently $1.63 favorites. Point is that the Rangers will be fully focused to win the game knowing they are all but out if they lose.

Supporting System

Supporting this graded play is a system that has produced a record of 146-98 making 36.2 units since 1996. Play on any team against the money line off an embarrassing home loss where they were shut out and are winning between 51% and 60% of their games on the season. The Rangers put themselves into this rather helpless situation losing to Atlanta 3-0 and were installed as $2.35 favorites.

Simulator Projections 

The simulator shows a high probability that the Rangers will score at least three goals in this game and that New jersey will have no more than two goals in this game. In past games where the Rangers allowed two or fewer goals they have produced a 33-8 record making 28 units this season, 103-34 making 68.8 units spanning the past three seasons, and 396-104 making 308.4 units since 1996. In past games where the Rangers have scored three or more goals they are 12-7 making 5.2 units per one unit wagered this season, 36-16 making 21.3 units per one unit wagered spanning the past three seasons. When New jersey has allowed three or more goals in past games they are just 3-17 losing 16.6 units per one unit wagered this season, 19-39 losing 28.5 units per one unit wagered spanning the past three seasons, and 84-162 losing 161.2 units per one unit wagered since 1996. Moreover, in past games where New Jersey scored two or fewer goals they are just 13-38 losing 32.6 units per one unit wagered, 31-101 losing 99 units per one unit wagered spanning the past three seasons, 145-404 losing 458.4 units one unit wagered since 1996.

Game Situations

New Jersey is in a series of poor roles for this game adding to my confidence that the Rangers will win this game easily. Note that New Jersey is just 8-23 against the money line losing 16.8 units per one unit wagered after having lost two of their last three games this season. Rangers are a resilient club noting they are 14-5 against the money line making 9.4 units per one unit wagered after a loss by two goals or more in their previous game this season. 

NHL Free Pick

Take the New York Rangers.