Oilers vs. Rangers Prediction: Should You Back Igor Shesterkin and the Rangers?

Oilers vs. Rangers Prediction: Should You Back Igor Shesterkin and the Rangers?

Two top-ten goal-scoring teams face off when the Rangers travel to Edmonton to take on the Oilers. The Oilers are first in league with 3.7 goals scored per game, while the Rangers are 9th with 3.4 goals per game. With two high-scoring offenses facing off, the books have set this total as high as seven goals. In the last few years, we have been seeing higher totals, and many games have totals of 6.5 now, but you don't see too many totals at seven. That implicates the style of game we will see tonight, but while the Oilers are the leading scorers in the league, the Rangers have Igor Shesterkin.

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Oilers vs. Rangers Start Time and Where to Watch

• Date: February 17, 2023
• Start Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
• Where to Watch: ESPN+

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Oilers vs. Rangers Prediction

Igor Shesterkin is coming fresh off a Vezina Trophy season, and he has quickly become one of the best goalies in the NHL. On the season, Shesterkin is 24-8-7 with 2.52 goals allowed average and a .915% save percentage. Oddly enough, he has done his best work on the road, where he has a .926% save percentage and is 10-4-1. He will have to be at his best tonight against the Oiler's offense filled with talents like Conor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Shesterkin is set for a busy night in the net. The Oilers average 33 shots on goal at home, and they will be even hungrier tonight after dropping two straight games and three of their last four. The Oilers will also look to push the pace, as the defense is not very good. This is why a lot of their games have gone over the total this season, and the Oilers have fast skaters that can get in the offensive zone quickly and put shots on goal. The Oilers also rank first on the power play, so any chance with a Ranger in the box tonight will have Shesterkin busy between the pipes.

Over Shesterkin's last four road games, he has over 29.5 saves in three of the four. The Oilers know the Rangers have the advantage in net, so they will try to push the pace and keep it in the offensive zone all game, which will run the shots on goal number up quickly. The Oilers run some of the best-set plays when they have the puck, which is why they have been so successful on offense this season. The Rangers do have a good defense, but the best part of that defense is between the pipes in Shesterkin. The total is high for a reason; this will be an offensive game. Whether the game does go over or not depends on how sharp Sheterkin looks in net, but the Rangers lost the last meeting against the Oilers this season, and Shesterkin gave up four goals in his last outing, so I think he comes out looking much better tonight against the Oilers. I like the reigning Vezina Trophy winner to tally at least 30 saves tonight in a fast-paced game.

Oilers vs. Rangers Pick

• Igor Shesterkin O29.5 Saves @ (-110) Bet $100 to collect $190. DraftKings has the best odds, click here

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