Rangers vs. Utah Hockey Club prediction: NHL picks, odds, bets

If there’s anything to take from the Rangers’ season-opening 6-0 pounding of the Penguins, it’s that Igor Shesterkin means business — and quite literally.The former Vezina Trophy winner is proving he is worth more than the eight-year, $88 million offer he rejected from GM Chris Drury, which would have already made him the highest-paid netminder in the history of the NHL.He followed that statement by stopping all 29 Pittsburgh shots, which included six high-danger looks on net and 3.3 goals saved above expected, according to Moneypuck.In doing so, Shesterkin became the first Rangers goalie to open the season with a shutout in 68 years.Shesterkin and a Rangers core in its do-or-die year return to host the Utah Hockey Club for Saturday’s home opener, opening as -210 favorites on the moneyline at BetMGM.The move to Utah and exorcism of Coyotes history looks to have pumped new life into this franchise.

In its first two games, Utah has potted five goals per, commanding the pace of five-on-five play against both the Blackhawks and Islanders.We’ll need more runway to make a proper assessment on this team’s long-term potential, though Utah’s 2.69 expected goals against per 60 is a step in the right direction in contrast to where it left off in the desert.Connor Ingram provided adequate goaltending for the Coyotes last year, ranking in the top 21 percent in goals saved above expected and held a 1.07 high-danger goals against average, as per Natural Stat Trick.Even though he’ll have his hands full with a Rangers lineup that featured goals from all four lines on Wednesday, Utah’s strong pressure and two-way play should aid Ingram in contending with Shesterkin’s money mission.The play: Rangers-Utah HC Under 6 (-110, BetMGM).Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post.He primarily focuses on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk....