Big Betting Continues on NY Rangers

The New York Rangers took a 2-0 series lead on Tuesday in the second round of the National Hockey League playoffs after Vincent Trocheck scored a power-play goal in double overtime for the victory.

If the team continues to win that could have some major repercussions for DraftKings and other sports betting operators around the country.

DraftKings director of trading Johnny Avello told the New York Post on Tuesday the sportsbook faces considerable liability because the Rangers are the most popular NHL team among bettors to drop some money on.

“The Rangers are a huge hazard for us, we get bet all year long on every single game, they’re the most popular team in hockey when it comes to hockey betting,” Avello told the Post.

“There are New Yorkers throughout the country, so every game, in every state and in every series expects to have a massive amount of money come in on the Rangers.”

The Rangers were home underdogs at +105 on Tuesday, but came away with the win.

The team is now tied with the Edmonton Oilers and the Colorado Avalanche in futures betting to win the Stanley Cup at +425, according to DraftKings. A championship could cost the book considerably in playoff wagering and futures betting payouts.

The franchise finished the regular season with 114 points to earn the President’s Trophy as the top team in the NHL, finishing one point ahead of the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference.

The Rangers then swept the Washington Capitals 4-0 in the first round of the playoffs.

The series with the Hurricanes now shifts to North Carolina for games three and four. The Hurricanes are now favored on Thursday by 1.5 with odds of +150, according to DraftKings.

The over/under for goals in the matchup is set at 5.5.

Center Mika Zibanejad and center Vincent Trocheck have led the way for the squad in scoring.  Zibanejad is tied for second in the playoffs in scoring with 11 points via three goals and eight assists.

Trocheck is tied for third in playoff goals with five and has also chipped in another five assists.

In goal, Igor Shesterkin has also been solid, among the top five in save percentage at .929, and leads in wins among playoff goalkeepers.

On special teams, the Rangers are third in power play percentage at 40% and third on the kill at 92.6%.

These numbers have led to a perfect 6-0 record through the playoffs so far and that could mean even more money flowing on the squad as the playoffs progress.

And as Avello notes, that could be bad news for DraftKings as bets continue on the team.

“I can tell you, easily,” he said, “that the Rangers are our biggest liability these playoffs.”