by Chuck Sommers
Monday, Jan 10, 2022
Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Where to watch: BSW, MSG+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Both -110
BetMGM: Both -110
Caesars: Both -110
Season record
Rangers: 23-9-4, 50 points (T-1st, Metropolitan)
Kings: 17-13-5, 39 points (4th place, Pacific)
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Rangers - Kings preview and analysis
Recent form
Rangers: won four of five; won 4-1 at Ducks on Saturday
Kings: won three of four; won 4-0 vs. Red Wings on Saturday
If you had the New York Rangers near the top of the Eastern Conference standings at this point in the season, good. You’re probably in a loud minority given there’s plenty who didn’t think they’d get far.
If you had the New York Rangers near the top of the Eastern Conference standings at this point in the season, good. You’re probably in a loud minority given there’s plenty who didn’t think they’d get far.
But the Rangers will try to get their fifth win in six games when they visit the Los Angeles Kings on Monday in good ol’ Crypto.com Arena.
New York’s West Coast road trip has gotten off to an uneven start having lost 5-1 to the Vegas Golden Knights in Ryan Reaves’ and Gerard Gallant’s return to Las Vegas on Thursday, and then a 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday.
Defenseman Ryan Lindgren had two goals in the third period, part of a sequence of four unanswered goals to give the Rangers a much-needed win. Mika Zibanejad and Jarred Tinordi also chipped in with goals.
“It's extra special when guys that don't score goals, and do so much for us on defense, get to score goals,” Zibanejad said of Lindgren after only four goals in 148 NHL games. “It's fun.”
But all things aren’t quite rosy for the Rangers. Gallant entered COVID protocol on Sunday afternoon ahead of the game. With assistant coach Mike Kelly already in protocol, assistant coach Kris Knoblauch will fill the role behind bench with both out.
Good news, however, is on the horizon. Artemi Panarin rejoined the team Saturday after missing four games due to COVID protocol. He’s rejoined the club while Igor Shesterkin, Julien Gauthier and Reaves went into protocol.
“The first couple of days were not my best [with symptoms] but today was fine,” Panarin said. “For sure I’m ready to play.”
The Kings, meanwhile, have been trying to find the winning formula as of late. It’s taken a bit, but winning three of four and coming off a shutout win against the Detroit Red Wings is a good way to keep the good times rolling.
Drew Doughty scored, and Dustin Brown had two assists in L.A.’s win while Cal Petersen put together a 21-save shutout in what was relatively easy work.
Prediction
Gallant going into protocol may not hurt the Rangers entirely. Knoblauch will get the same assignments, roll the lines and the game will go without a hitch from his end. I think the Rangers turn on the booster and get this victory in a rather easy contest. Rangers win 4-1
Betting trends
The Rangers are 13-9 ATS off an under this season.
The Rangers are 10-3 ATS this season when scoring four or more the previous game.
The Kings are 11-5 ATS in non-conference guys this season.
The Rangers are 13-9 ATS off an under this season.
The Rangers are 10-3 ATS this season when scoring four or more the previous game.
The Kings are 11-5 ATS in non-conference guys this season.
Projected lines
Rangers:
Artemi Panarin -- Mika Zibanejad -- Chris Kreider
Alexis Lafreniere -- Ryan Strome -- Kaapo Kakko
Barclay Goodrow -- Filip Chytil -- Kevin Rooney
Greg McKegg -- Morgan Barron -- Jonny Brodzinski
Ryan Lindgren -- Adam Fox
K'Andre Miller -- Jacob Trouba
Jarred Tinordi -- Nils Lundkvist
Alexandar Georgiev
Artemi Panarin -- Mika Zibanejad -- Chris Kreider
Alexis Lafreniere -- Ryan Strome -- Kaapo Kakko
Barclay Goodrow -- Filip Chytil -- Kevin Rooney
Greg McKegg -- Morgan Barron -- Jonny Brodzinski
Ryan Lindgren -- Adam Fox
K'Andre Miller -- Jacob Trouba
Jarred Tinordi -- Nils Lundkvist
Alexandar Georgiev
Kings:
Adrian Kempe -- Anze Kopitar -- Martin Frk
Trevor Moore -- Phillip Danault -- Viktor Arvidsson
Lias Andersson -- Rasmus Kupari -- Dustin Brown
Brendan Lemieux -- Blake Lizotte -- Arthur Kaliyev
Mikey Anderson -- Drew Doughty
Jacob Moverare -- Matt Roy
Tobias Bjornfot -- Sean Durzi
Jonathan Quick
Adrian Kempe -- Anze Kopitar -- Martin Frk
Trevor Moore -- Phillip Danault -- Viktor Arvidsson
Lias Andersson -- Rasmus Kupari -- Dustin Brown
Brendan Lemieux -- Blake Lizotte -- Arthur Kaliyev
Mikey Anderson -- Drew Doughty
Jacob Moverare -- Matt Roy
Tobias Bjornfot -- Sean Durzi
Jonathan Quick
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
