NHL Notebook: Veterans Carrying Rangers - NHL Hockey News, Tips And Picks

NHL Notebook: Veterans Carrying Rangers
By Rich Carlson
Posted: 4:00 am PDT 2006-11-28

When the New York Rangers were preparing to start the 2006 season, many NHL betting fans thought their roster was built to play in a county recreation over-30 league instead of in the NHL. However, the Rangers aren't ready to pick up their AARP cards just yet.

The Rangers' Big 4 (RW Jaromir Jagr, LW Brendan Shanahan, C Martin Straka and C Michael Nylander) have propelled the Blueshirts to the top of the Atlantic Division with a 13-9-2 record. Jagr has once again been masterful in the offensive end as he leads the NHL in scoring with 37 points. Shanahan leads the team with 17 goals, while Straka has chipped in with 13 goals and 13 assists. Nylander has been a pleasant offensive surprise as he is second on the team with 23 assists.

The biggest disappointment for the Rangers this season has to be goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Big things were expected of Lundqvist this year, but he has struggled to an 11-7 record with a 2.81 goals against average. The most telling statistic for Lundqvist is his dismal .904 save percentage.

Jagr (34 years old), Shanahan (37), Straka (34) and Nylander (34) are carrying the Rangers right now, and NHL bettors should wonder if they can keep up their production for an entire season. Unless Lundqvist turns his game around, the Rangers won't make it far into the playoffs.

Burnin' Down The House
Minnesota G Niklas Backstrom is currently leading the NHL in goals against average (1.92) and save percentage (.941). ... The San Jose Sharks are 8-2-0 in their last 10 games. ... The Buffalo Sabres are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games.

Cold As Ice
Columbus D Adam Foote has the worst plus/minus ratio in the NHL at minus-16. Foote is a solid defender, and his horrific plus/minus number shows how weak the Blue Jackets are this season. ... The Florida Panthers are 2-6-2 in their last 10 games, while Columbus is 2-7-1.

Significant Transactions
None to report

Injury Report
Detroit G Chris Osgood will be out 3-4 weeks due to a wrist injury.... San Jose RW Jonathan Cheechoo was placed on injured reserve with a lower leg injury. Cheechoo was the NHL's leading goal scorer in 2005 (56 goals), and his absence will hurt the Sharks' offensive attack.... Nashville G Tomas Vokoun suffered a sprained wrist against Vancouver and will be out 2-6 weeks. Vokoun is a big reason why the Predators are in first place in the Central Division and his injury is a huge blow to the Preds.

WagerWeb.com Odds Updates
Even though the New York Rangers are in first place, their odds to win the Stanley Cup on WagerWeb.com are +2000.

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