NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Rangers vs Flames (Tuesday, October 24)

Tuesday, Oct. 24

9:45 p.m. ET

ESPN+

Rangers Odds	-125
Flames Odds	+104
Over / Under	6.5 +114 / -140

Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute NHL odds here.

The Pacific Division's Calgary Flames host the Metropolitan Division's New York Rangers on Tuesday.

Low-scoring affairs are typically in store when these clubs square off as there have been six or fewer goals scored in six of the past eight meetings.

Will we see another low-scoring game? Or will the scoring pick up this time around?

Here's a look at the Rangers vs. Flames odds, as well as my betting prediction and pick.

New York Rangers

Igor Shesterkin's pedestrian start to the campaign is unlikely to continue. One of the league's best netminders, Shesterkin is 2-2 with a mere .879 SV% and a 3.14 GAA through four starts.

However, it is likely that he'll improve based on his prolific track record. Since entering the league in 2019-20, Shesterkin has never finished a season with a SV% south of .916.

Meanwhile, New York's blue line has looked incredible thus far, which is why there have been six or fewer goals scored in four of its five games, despite the lackluster goaltending from Shesterkin. At 5-on-5, the Rangers rank fourth in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).

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Calgary Flames

Shesterkin's positive regression could come to fruition against the Flames, a team that ranks right at the NHL average in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5-on-5. However, like New York, defense hasn't been an issue for Calgary as it ranks 11th in xGA/60 at 5-on-5.

Backing up this defensively sound group is goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who is off to a nice start this year. Through four starts, he sports a .905 SV% and a 2.75 GAA.

He had a tough time against Pittsburgh, which has contributed to his SV% staying south of the .910-.915 range. However, he's looked sharp in his three other starts. That strong goaltending is likely to continue against the Rangers, a team Markstrom has dominated over the past several seasons.

Over his past seven starts against New York, Calgary's netminder is 6-0-1 with a .941 SV% and a 1.71 GAA. There were six or fewer goals scored in six of those seven outings.

Rangers vs. Flames

Betting Pick & Prediction

This just feels like one of those spots where Shesterkin comes back to reality. He is coming off a disappointing effort against the Predators, a game in which he surrendered four goals on just 18 shots (.778 SV%).

Shesterkin is more than capable of bouncing back from a poor performance, which he's already done once this season. In his second start of the year, he allowed five goals on 21 shots to the Blue Jackets. Two days later, he saved 26 of 27 shots.

Meanwhile, Markstrom's strong track record against the Rangers, coupled with the solid blue line in front of him, should help quell New York's offensive firepower.

Pick: Under 6.5 | Play to -110

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