2017 NHL Playoffs: Ottawa vs. New York Rangers Series Prediction

The Second Round of the 2017 NHL Playoffs Starts on Wednesday. Meaning we are Getting Closer and Closer to the Stanley Cup, Who Will Win it? Follow This Series to Find Out!

BREAKDOWN OF THE TEAMS FIRST ROUND:
Ottawa had one heck of a series against the Bruins, Boston’s experience definitely helped them push the series to its limits but Ottawa’s offense scored at the most opportune times and Craig Anderson was absolutely brilliant. Another solid series in the 2017 NHL Playoffs was between the Rangers and the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs acquired a lot of sizes to help their team in the rugged play the playoffs demand, however, they didn’t have enough people show up to score. And that’s something the Rangers were able to capitalize on. They have four solid lines of scoring that if stay hot, will put Ottawa to the test.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

New York’s power play hasn’t been great in the playoffs since it sits 16th in the league at 6.7 percent which is surprising since they have Jimmy Vesey, Mika Zibanejad, Rick Nash, Pavel Buchnevich, and more. That’s a piece of their game that’s going to need an increase because Ottawa has a solid PK and if this series comes down to special teams the Rangers are going to be hard pressed to score some power play goals. Their penalty kill on the other hand has been rock solid, they currently sit fifth at 85.0 percent which is going to put a ton of pressure on the Sens power play.

Now the reason why the Rangers power play needs help is due to the fact the Sens penalty kill sits ninth at 81.3 percent which means the Rangers are going to be hard-pressed when it comes to scoring goals on the man advantage. The only way they can improve is to switch the system, and with the time off they have had, they most likely have practiced it a lot. The Sens power play is currently sixth at 21.7 percent, and with the Rangers PK being fifth that’s going to be a battle every time New York goes to the box.

EDGE: Ottawa

OFFENSE:

Both the Rangers and Senators goals-for are nearly identical, the Rangers have put up a total of 14 goals in six games while the Senators have managed just one more in the same amount of games played. So when there are two teams that have nearly identical offensive numbers, play will definitely come down to defense, goaltending, and special teams.

EDGE: Draw

DEFENSE:

Where the Rangers hold a tiny advantage is the defensive play, New York has only allowed 11 goals against while Ottawa has allowed 13. Now we have seen the entire Sens d-core help the rush and capitalize, what we have also seen is the Rangers defense do the same but fail. If Brady Skjei can keep doing what he’s doing and finally put some pucks in the net as well as keep them out along with Nick Holden and Ryan McDonagh the Rangers are in a solid position against the Sens. However, if that doesn’t happen and Ottawa’s defense can keep capitalizing and keeping the puck out, well it’s obvious who has the advantage. But since a single game has yet to be played we’ll just have to wait and find out.

EDGE: Draw

GOALTENDING:

Both teams possess a goaltender who is clutch and can win a game on their own. On one side you have 36-year-old Henrik Lundqvist who knows his time is drawing near. And on the other side, you have Craig Anderson who has played amazingly well despite the personal issues he’s dealt with all season. Lundqvist currently sits with a 1.70 goals-against-average and a .947 save percentage with one shutout. Anderson also has one shutout but his other statistics are not as good as Henrik’s, Anderson has a .921 save percentage and a 1.94 goals-against-average. With offense, defense, and goaltending so close, this series is definitely going to be a low-scoring one that will come down to special teams play or whichever goalie buckles first.

EDGE: Draw

Next: Nashville vs. St. Louis Series Prediction

SERIES OUTCOME:

This series is close in every aspect, from front to back and from power play to the penalty kill. If the Rangers can turn their power play around and score on Ottawa’s penalty kill they can win themselves some games but then there’s Craig Anderson. And while the Rangers possess four lines that can score goals, so do the Senators. Another thing is both teams have three solid units of defense, so this series can go either way. But if New York fixes their power play as stated before, they could come out ahead.

FINAL SERIES RECORD: Rangers win series 4-3

ROUND 1 PREDICTIONS:

PREDICTION: WASHINGTON 4-1 OVER TORONTO
ACTUAL OUTCOME: CAPITALS WIN 4-2
PREDICTION PERCENTAGE: 50%

PREDICTION: MONTREAL 4-3 OVER RANGERS
ACTUAL OUTCOME: RANGERS WIN 4-2
PREDICTION PERCENTAGE: 0%

PREDICTION: SAN JOSE 4-2 OVER EDMONTON
ACTUAL OUTCOME: EDMONTON WINS 4-2
PREDICTION PERCENTAGE: 50%

PREDICTION: ANAHEIM 4-2 OVER CALGARY
ACTUAL OUTCOME: DUCKS WIN 4-0
PREDICTION PERCENTAGE: 50%

PREDICTION: BOSTON 4-2 OVER OTTAWA
ACTUAL OUTCOME: SENATORS WIN 4-2
PREDICTION PERCENTAGE: 50%

PREDICTION: PITTSBURGH 4-2 OVER COLUMBUS
ACTUAL OUTCOME: PENGUINS WIN 4-1
PREDICTION PERCENTAGE: 50%

PREDICTION: CHICAGO 4-3 OVER NASHVILLE
ACTUAL OUTCOME: NASHVILLE WINS 4-0
PREDICTION PERCENTAGE: 0%

PREDICTION: MINNESOTA 4-3 OVER ST. LOUIS
ACTUAL OUTCOME: BLUES WIN 4-1
PREDICTION PERCENTAGE: 0%