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New York Rangers vs. Ottawa Senators: Game 5 prediction

By Adam Stocker

Apr 8, 2017; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes a save on a shot from Ottawa Senators center Tommy Wingles (57) in the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes a save on a shot from Ottawa Senators center Tommy Wingles (57) in the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Rangers head back to Canadian Tire Centre to face the Ottawa Senators in Game 5 of their playoff series, here are some predictions.

The New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators have split the first four games of their series, with both teams winning on home ice. With the series returning to the Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa hopes that trend continues. While New York will attempt to win away from Madison Square Garden.

The Ottawa Senators drafted Mika Zibanejad sixth overall in 2011. After five seasons, the Senators traded Zibanejad and a second round pick for Derick Brassard and a seventh round pick. In the regular season, Zibanejad recorded 37 points in 56 games, while Brassard recorded 39 points in 81 games. In the first round, Brassard recorded eight points against the Boston Bruins. However, in the second round, Brassard has yet to get a point and is a minus-five. While Zibanejad has recorded three assists. If Brassard continues to be awful for Ottawa, they will lose the series.

The Rangers have changed their offensive approach from the first round. New York is dumping and chasing the puck into the Ottawa zone, hoping to get Senators’ goalie out of the net to play the puck. Anderson is not a great puck handler and could make a mistake that leads to an easy Rangers goal, like the one Boston scored in the first round. Dumping and chasing lets the Rangers apply extra pressure on Ottawa captain Eric Karlsson. Karlsson is forced to turn to pick up the puck and becomes an easy target for the Rangers forecheck. With Karlsson playing on an injured foot, getting hit reduces his effectiveness.

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After playing extremely well in Game 1, Anderson has allowed 12 goals in the last three games. Game 5 will be decided by how well Anderson plays in net. If Anderson allows more than three goals, New York will head back to Madison Square Garden will a chance to win the series. If Ottawa allows less than 3 goals, they will go back to New York with a series lead.

Prediction: New York 4 – Ottawa 2

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