NHL Predators vs Rangers Picks and Odds | March 2, 2025

Written by: Nick Zanghi

Published: Sun Mar 02, 2025, 11:30 am ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

nhl

FINAL

Nashville Predators

New York Rangers

See Picks & Statistics For The Game

It's an East Coast trip for Nashville and their next stop is Madison Sqaure Garden. The Predators take on the New York Rangers tonight for the 1st time since December. Nashville won the last meeting 2-0, but they just got smacked. Let's check out the teams and get into Predators vs Rangers picks.

The Rangers are 29-26-4 this season and are 5th in the Metro Division. They come into this game after a loss to Toronto Friday night and are 5-5-0 in their last 10 games. New York has been very blah this season – going pretty much just over .500 on the road and at home.

On offense, they have shown signs of life as the season has progressed. They rank 14th in goals scored and 9th in shots on goal per game. Their power play could use some work, converting 21% of the time, which ranks 20th in the league.

This team needs to get it together defensively. They rank 21st in goals allowed and 29th in shots on goal allowed per game, which is the 4th worst in the league. The Rangers are committing around 4 penalties per game but luckily have the 4th best penalty kill in the league.

Goalie Igor Shesterkin is expected in net tonight. He has a 20-21-2 record with a 2.93 GAA and a .904 save percentage. Shesterkin is 2-2 in his last 4 games vs the Preds with a 2.83 GAA and a .916 save percentage.

Nashville will look to rebound off bad loss last night to the Islanders

Predators Jonathan Marchessault high fives his teammates after scoring a goal.

The Predators are 21-31-7 this year and are 7th in the Central Division. They're coming in off a bad loss to the Islanders yesterday and are 3-7-0 in their last 10 games. This team is probably the league's biggest disappointment after all their off season moves.

Nashville landed free agents Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skeji. Unfortunately, it is not panning out the way they thought. They're 29th in goals scored and 8th in shots on goal per game. It's great that they're shooting, but they have the worst shooting percentage in the league.

Their defense is terrible on top of it. They rank 5th worst for goals allowed 8th worst for shots on goal allowed per game. Nashville commits almost 5 penalties per game, rank 8th worst as well. They do have a decent penalty kill that ranks 11th in the league.

Goaltender Justus Annunen is expected to get the start. He is 13-8-0 this season with a 2.70 GAA and a .888 save percentage. This will be the 1st time he faces the Rangers in his career. Let's check out the odds and get into the picks.

Nashville Predators vs New York Rangers Betting Odds and Game Information

Predators vs Rangers Betting Odds

Puck Line

Nashville Predators +1.5 (-160)
New York Rangers -1.5 (+135)

Moneyline

Nashville Predators +155
New York Rangers -185

Totals

Over 6.5 (+110)
Under 6.5 (-130)

Odds courtesy of BetOnline – Get 50% up to $1000 on your first deposit

Predators vs Rangers Game Information

Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Date: Sunday March 2, 2025
Puck Drop: 7pm EST
TV: MSG 2, FDSSO

Nashville Predators vs New York Rangers Prediction and Picks

Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck reacts after putting the puck in the back of the net.

Predators vs Rangers Picks and Predictions: Game Total Over 6.5 Goals (+110) Get 50% up to $1000 Deposit on BetOnline for this pick

I think this game goes over tonight. Shesterkin's record against the Preds isn't the greatest and allowing almost 3 goals per game. The Rangers should be able to get to Annunen as the NY spotlight may be too much for him.

Both teams have the firepower to create offense. Nashville showed that last night against the Islanders putting up 4 goals on Sorokin. Part of me thinks they scored their goals for the weekend, but part of me thinks they're rolling right now.

It would be a nice bounce back spot for the Predators. I kind of lean that way considering the spanking they just got. History shows they can get to the Rangers biggest weapon and that's Shesterkin.

I don't really like any of the props from this game. The guys either have a 2 shots line and it's super juiced or it's a number they're just not going to hit. I don't hate Ryan O'Reilly to record a point for -110. He has recorded 1 in his last 6 out of 7 games vs the Rangers, but not the game this year, so be careful.