New York Rangers vs. Boston Bruins Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 4/23/2022

Time: 3 p.m. ET

Venue: TD Garden, Boston, MA

Where to watch: ABC, ESPN+, SN360

DraftKings: Check back later

BetMGM: Check back later

Caesars: Check back later

Rangers: 52-21-6

Bruins: 47-24-5

I once had this coffee meet-up with Gerard Gallant one day when he was coach of the Florida Panthers. Ironically the man ordered a Diet Coke while I had a bagel and a cappucino. Toward the end of our time, he looked at me and said, “Chuck, one day I’d like to coach the New York Rangers and have them be a contender. That’d be fun.”

That same night, Gallant was fired by the Panthers and had his picture taken getting in a cab to go home. Some would say that’s a funny thing, but no one thought that he would go on to coach an expansion team to a Stanley Cup Final appearance. And if things bounce his way, he’ll get that chance to do it again with the New York Rangers.

New York has home-ice advantage in the first round, but no opponent yet. They’re still fighting with the Carolina Hurricanes for the top spot in the Metro with both teams tied at 108 points for the division title and the second-best mark in the East.

Should the Rangers get to that point, they’ll be taking on their first-round opponent on Saturday in the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. So if you’re up for a potential playoff preview, get ready for this one.

The Rangers are functioning like a well-oiled machine to the point where teams have a tough time scoring on them, and they’re getting four goals a game against most of their opponents. To be fair it hasn’t been murderer’s row with games against Philadelphia, Detroit, Ottawa, etc. But they’re winning games and doing it at an impressive fashion, the latest being a 6-3 win over the New York Islanders thanks to a hat trick from deadline acquisition Andrew Copp.

Hopefully his lower-body injury isn’t serious, however.

"I'm happy with the way we played the last number of games because there are some games we've played teams that were out of the playoffs and we still kept focusing on our game and playing the right way," Gallant said. "I like winning but I'm more happy with the way we're playing, definitely. I'm hoping we can carry that on to the next four games and the playoffs."

This team has the capability to do that with the goaltending and the elite scoring. Artemi Panarin is having an MVP year any other season but this one after his four-assist game. Adam Fox is coming back to form, and Chris Kreider keeps scoring goals. It’s kind of remarkable.

"We've done a good job securing home ice," Fox said. "I mean, you're going to play a good team either way. Like we've preached for a while now, just playing the right way these past few games and not letting it slip. You want to be rolling going into playoffs and that's where our mindset is at."

Now comes a pissed-off Bruins team that lost 4-0 to the Penguins and let Casey DeSmith record a 52- save shutout on you the other night. It’s one thing to get shut out, but 52 shots should be an absolute crime.

Jeremy Swayman rebounded with 28 saves of his own, but the Bruins are not finding great footing heading to the playoffs having lost four of six.

"They made some plays. Unfortunately, I couldn't come up with the stop," Swayman said. "I just want to make sure I'm doing whatever I can to help this team win. Learned some good things today."

The Rangers just keep rocking right now with no end in sight. I feel it’s going to take a Herculean effort to keep things close, but if they couldn’t stop on DeSmith, I doubt Igor Shesterkin is going to be in the mood for giving up some goals. Give me the Rangers and make this playoff preview a reality. Rangers win 5-3

Rangers are 22-7 this season off an over.

Rangers are 12-2 this season off a win over a division rival.

Bruins are 17-5 off two overs this season.

Rangers:

Chris Kreider -- Mika Zibanejad -- Frank Vatrano

Artemi Panarin -- Ryan Strome -- Jonny Brodzinski

Alexis Lafreniere -- Julien Gauthier -- Barclay Goodrow

Dryden Hunt -- Kevin Rooney -- Ryan Reaves

Ryan Lindgren -- Adam Fox

K'Andre Miller -- Jacob Trouba

Patrik Nemeth -- Braden Schneider

Igor Shesterkin

Bruins:

Brad Marchand -- Patrice Bergeron -- Jake DeBrusk

Taylor Hall -- Erik Haula -- Curtis Lazar

Trent Frederic -- Charlie Coyle -- Craig Smith

Nick Foligno -- Tomas Nosek -- Marc McLaughlin

Matt Grzelcyk -- Charlie McAvoy

Mike Reilly -- Brandon Carlo

Derek Forbort -- Connor Clifton

Jeremy Swayman

Points: Artemi Panarin -- 96

Goals: Chris Kreider -- 51

Assists: Artemi Panarin -- 74

Goalie: Igor Shesterkin -- 36-11-4, 2.01 GAA, .936 SV%

Points: Brad Marchand -- 73

Goals: David Pastrnak -- 38

Assists: Charlie McAvoy -- 44

Goalie: Jeremy Swayman -- 22-13-2, 2.35 GAA, .916 SV%