New York Rangers vs. Winnipeg Jets: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

The New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets will be in full playoff preparation mode as they both lead their divisions heading towards the end of the NHL regular season.

But while the Rangers have a four-point cushion over the Carolina Hurricanes in the Metropolitan Division, the Jets are tied on points with the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars at the top of the Central. Winnipeg have played a game fewer than the Avalanche and have two in hand on the Stars, so they will be looking to make those count.

Winnipeg could even leapfrog Vancouver for top spot in the Western Conference and thus guarantee home ice advantage in the playoffs at least until the Stanley Cup Finals.

New York Rangers vs. Winnipeg Jets betting picks and predictions

Jets Money Line (+105)

The Rangers have won nine of their last ten at Madison Square Garden, but the value looks to lie with the visiting Jets in tonight's matchup.

Winnipeg are a hot road team, boasting a 20-10-3 record in hostile territory this season, while they've earned four regulation-time wins from their last five games on the road. 

Plus, in March, the Jets have earned convincing wins in Carolina, Buffalo and Columbus in their three visits to Eastern Conference teams, scoring at least five goals in each of those victories.

The Rangers earned a 5-2 win over New York rivals the Islanders on Sunday but that came at a cost as defenseman Ryan Lindgren was injured and faces a battle to return in time for the postseason.

That adds to the headache caused by Rangers captain Jacob Trouba's continued absence, and they have called up Brandon Scanlin from AHL affiliate Hartford, with the 24-year-old set to make his NHL debut in this game.

Also expected to make his first appearance as a Blueshirt is trade deadline pickup Chad Ruhwedel, who hasn't played since he was involved in a 6-0 Pittsburgh Penguins loss to Washington on March 7, before he was traded.

A patched-up defense is far from ideal against a team scoring for fun on the road, and while the Rangers will be tough, the Jets look a better bet.

Under 5.5 goals (-110)

The New York Rangers last three games have witnessed a total of 27 goals scored, while the Jets' last three have also all seen Over 5.5 backers collect. However, there are reasons to think tonight's clash may not see another bonanza of scoring.

Winnipeg have the stoutest defense in the league, their 158 goals allowed being seven fewer than the next-best Florida Panthers, and there is a yawning gap back to the rest.

Both likely starting goaltenders played in the All-Star weekend and Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck is the Vezina Trophy favourite at -500, leading the league in both GAA and save percentage.

In the home net, Igor Shesterkin isn't having his best season but he has earned two shutouts in his last four starts.

Games between these teams tend to be tight. The Rangers took the first meeting of the season in overtime, after 60 minutes elapsed with the score at 2-2 and that made it six straight games between the pair in which no more than five goals were scored in regulation time.

Tyler Toffoli Anytime Goalscorer (+210)

It's early in his tenure with the team, but Tyler Toffoli looks like a fantastic pickup for Winnipeg.

The ex-New Jersey Devils winger has picked up five points in his first four games with the Jets, all of those coming in his last two games.

Toffoli is seeing plenty of powerplay time, registering both his goals in the 6-0 win over Anaheim on the man advantage, while he has quickly built an impressive chemistry with his new linemates Nikolaj Ehlers and Sean Monahan.

Beating up on the Ducks and Blue Jackets is one thing, while breaching the Rangers is quite another, but Toffoli's brace against Columbus last time took his tally to 30 for the season and the odds look good for him to light the lamp at MSG.

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New York Rangers vs. Winnipeg Jets odds

NY Rangers	-125
WIN Jets	+105
Puck Line	NYR -1.5
Total O/U	O/U 5.5

New York Rangers vs. Winnipeg Jets player props

Anytime Goalscorer

Kyle Connor (WIN)	+175
Artemi Panarin (NYR)	+170
Chris Kreider (NYR)	+180
Mika Zibanejad (NYR)	+180
Tyler Toffoli (WIN)	+210
Vincent Trochek (NYR)	+210

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.