The Empire State, its fans and New York sports betting bettors loved the season the New York Rangers just concluded.
Let’s look back at that remarkable season and then see how the Rangers are regarded on New York sports betting apps in future betting for the 2022-23 season.
A Successful Season and Exciting Playoff Performance
The Rangers (52-24-6, .671, 110 points) finished second in the Metropolitan Division, just six points behind the Carolina Hurricanes, and had a tremendous run to the Eastern Conference Finals.
The playoffs began with a memorable seven-game victory for the Rangers over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Rangers finally prevailed by winning the deciding game in overtime.
Up next was Carolina, and the Rangers had the last laugh. They defeated the Hurricanes in another seven-game series. New York won another die-or-die contest, 6-2, on May 31.
The win advanced the Rangers to face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference finals. They jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the series before running out of gas and losing in six games. The two previous seven-game series clearly took a toll.
No Questions About Goalie Moving Forward
If the Rangers are going to make another serious run at the Stanley Cup, they again will rely on goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top netminder.
Shesterkin posted a 36-13-4 record in 53 games (52 starts) last season, leading the NHL in Goals Against Average (GAA) at 2.07 and in save percentage (.935; minimum 20 games).
Shesterkin was ranked third in shutouts with six, sixth in victories with 36, and had a save percentage of at least .940 in 26 starts.
Are the Bookmakers Behind the Rangers?
Are New York sports betting oddsmakers buying into the Rangers being able to improve the defense and scoring attack around the league’s best goaltender?
Early futures odds say no.
BetMGM Sportsbook has the Rangers at +2000 to win the Cup. That puts them 10th in the 32-team league. BetMGM sees the Colorado Avalanche (+450) as the favorite to repeat.
BetMGM has the Rangers at +1000 to take the Eastern Conference, tied with the Penguins for fifth.
FanDuel Sportsbook New York is far from convinced as well. FanDuel also has the Rangers at +2000 to win the Cup.
FanDuel has these teams with shorter odds: Colorado (+500), Toronto (+900). Florida (+1000), Tampa Bay (+1000), Las Vegas (+1000), Carolina (+1100), Calgary and Minnesota (both +1800).
EmpireStakes.com will have updates on NHL and all pro sports throughout the year as well as the best New York sports betting promo codes.
NHL Draft Held July 7-8 in Montreal
The NHL Draft will take place on July 7-8 at Bell Centre in Montreal.
The Rangers have four selections. They don’t pick until the second round of the seven-round, 225-player draft. The other selections include No. 111 (Round 4 from
the Winnipeg Jets via the Vegas Golden Knights), No. 159 (R5) and No. 191 (R6).
