If you were to create a blueprint for success in the NHL playoffs, it would probably be pretty basic. The team goes into each round with home ice advantage simply needs to win each game in their own building, while the road team always look to get a split in the opening two games of the series so that they can steal home ice advantage. Yes, winning in the playoffs is a good deal tougher than that, but that blueprint is the starting point for everything. To this stage of the second round, the Ottawa Senators have followed that layout to perfection, winning both their home games versus the New York Rangers.
They will now be heading to the Big Apple in search of the split that would allow them to go back home and punch their ticket into the Eastern Conference Final. That said, they may also now be thinking that the Rangers are there for the taking, and that the sweep may well be on the table. Game 3, which is set for Tuesday night, has suddenly become a must win for the Rangers. Now, let’s check the NHL betting odds and other relevant info surrounding this game.
Senators vs Rangers Game 3 NHL Odds, Game Info and Prediction
When: Tuesday, May 2 at 7 PM EST Where: Madison Square Garden, NYC TV: NBCSN Radio: TSN 1200 (Ottawa), ESPN NY 98.7 FM (New York) Live Stream: NBCSports.com NHL Odds: New York Rangers: -1½+180, ML -170, Total 5 (o/u-115)Why bet on the Ottawa Senators
If the Ottawa Senators are going to make it to the Stanley Cup Final this year, it looks as though they are determined to do it the hard way. They have played 8 games in the playoffs so far this season, and each one has been decided by a single goal, 5 of which came in OT. The latest of those overtime games came in Game 2 of this series, and it was a win for the Senators that could well prove to be the deciding factor in this series. Ottawa were down by 2 late in the third period of that one, and it looked as though the Rangers were primed to get the split. Ottawa pulled out the miracle finish, going on to win 6-5 in OT. Are we looking at a team of destiny?Why bet on the New York Rangers
The Rangers must be wondering what they need to do to get a win in this series. After losing 2-1 in Game 1, the call was for more offense. The answered that call by scoring 5 times in Game 2, yet still found a way to be on the losing end. The Rangers faced Ottawa twice on home ice during the regular season, and are not likely to be excited about the fact that they only managed to pick up a split in those games. A similar outcome over the next two meetings will have the Rangers on the brink of elimination heading back to Ottawa.
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
I think the OT win for Ottawa in Game 2 could prove to be a back breaker, and I would not be totally shocked to see them go to New York and win again, or at least get the split.Ottawa Senators 3 New York Rangers 2
