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Game Preview New York Rangers @ Nashville Predators
The New York Rangers head to Bridgestone Arena to take on the Nashville Predators in a cross-conference showdown on December 21. Both teams are playing meaningful hockey, with the Rangers looking to build on a strong start to the season and Nashville clawing for a playoff position in the Western Conference.
The Rangers have found success under Peter Laviolette’s structured system. Their combination of veteran leadership and emerging young talent has allowed them to play with balance at both ends of the ice. Nashville, meanwhile, has become one of the league’s most opportunistic teams. They lean on physicality, goaltending, and timely scoring to grind out wins in close contests.
Expect a tightly contested battle between two teams that play drastically different styles—New York thrives in transition, while Nashville prefers to slow the pace and win battles along the boards.
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Odds and Key Information
The Rangers opened as slight road favorites, with odds hovering around -120. The Predators were listed as underdogs between +100 and +110 depending on the book. The total for this matchup sits at 6 goals, reflecting the Rangers’ scoring depth and Nashville’s recent uptick in offense.
Stay on top of live line movement and consensus action via the NHL odds tracker.
New York Rangers Outlook
The Rangers are among the top teams in the Eastern Conference thanks to their elite goaltending, steady defense, and improving five-on-five play. Igor Shesterkin has returned to Vezina-caliber form, while Adam Fox anchors one of the NHL’s most mobile and responsible blue lines.
Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, and Mika Zibanejad continue to lead the offense, which ranks in the top 10 in goals per game. The power play remains dangerous, converting at over 25 percent, while their penalty kill ranks top five league-wide.
Road games haven’t fazed New York this season—they’re 10-4-1 away from Madison Square Garden. Their ability to adapt to different playing styles makes them dangerous against teams like Nashville who thrive in grind-it-out hockey.
Stay updated on their division outlook in the NHL Metropolitan Division Odds Predictions preview.
Nashville Predators Outlook
The Predators have become a tough out under head coach Andrew Brunette. While their style isn’t flashy, it’s effective. Nashville wins games through gritty forechecking, hard-nosed defense, and clutch performances from goaltender Juuse Saros.
Roman Josi remains the heartbeat of this team. The Norris-winning defenseman logs heavy minutes and quarterbacks both special teams. Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly are providing the offensive punch, but secondary scoring has also started to show up.
At home, Nashville has found its rhythm, winning seven of its last ten games at Bridgestone Arena. Their penalty kill has improved steadily, and they’ve allowed two goals or fewer in six of those ten home games.
Get a full look at their division position in the NHL Central Division Odds Predictions blog.
Key Matchup
The most important battle in this game will take place in the neutral zone. The Rangers excel at controlled zone entries and stretch passes, while Nashville plays a layered defensive system that forces teams wide and blocks shooting lanes.
If the Rangers can enter the zone cleanly and keep the puck moving east-west, they’ll create scoring chances against Saros. On the flip side, if Nashville can bog down New York’s transition game and create scrums in the corners, they’ll tilt the game in their favor.
For bettors, understanding pace-of-play matchups like this is critical. Read more about it in the Concise Guide to Hockey Betting.
Betting Trends
The Rangers are 6-2 in their last eight road games and have gone over the total in five of their last seven overall. Their puck line record is among the best in the NHL when scoring first.
The Predators are 7-3 in their last ten at home and have covered the puck line in six of those. The under has cashed in four of Nashville’s last five against Eastern Conference teams.
Use the Alternate Total Points betting guide to turn these trends into smart wagers.
Predictions
This should be a close, strategic game with playoff-like intensity. The Rangers hold the edge in speed, goaltending, and special teams, but Nashville’s physicality and recent home success can’t be overlooked.
If Shesterkin plays to form and New York’s power play capitalizes on one or two opportunities, the Rangers will control pace and outscore Nashville in transition. However, if the Predators can frustrate them early and get key stops from Saros, this game could tilt toward the under.
Projected score: New York Rangers 3, Nashville Predators 2
Best bet: Rangers ML
Total lean: Under 6.0
Check out more predictions and odds comparisons in the NHL expert betting guide.
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