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Analyzing Sunday’s Colorado Avalanche at New York Rangers odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

After dropping their second straight game, the Rangers have little room for error at this point in the season.

The New York Rangers are all set for their matchup against the Colorado Avalanche today at 1 PM EST. Here’s everything you need to know from a Rangers perspective. Projected Lin

The New York Rangers has a rough night on Tuesday. Not only did the team fall further back in the Metropolitan Division standings with a 4-0 loss to the Hurricanes at home, but they also helped validate every part of the blockbuster Mikko Rantanen trade.

The New York Rangers will face off against the Colorado Avalanche at Madison Square Garden Sunday afternoon. The Rangers are coming off a 6-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers Thursday and are 24-20-4 on the season.

The New York Rangers spent Saturday afternoon practicing for the Colorado Avalanche, rooting for their next opponent to earn a regulation win over the Boston Bruins and preparing for two players slightly sooner than expected.

Martin Necas had two assists, nearly scored twice himself and excelled on the top line. Jack Drury scored a goal and centered a new-look depth line while all 12 Avs forwards played more than 10 minutes, a departure from the usual top-heavy distribution.

The loss leaves the Rangers (24-21-4) three points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning (26-19-3), who hold the second wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference; the Bolts are even in points with the Columbus Blue Jackets (24-19-7) but have two games in hand. They are four points behind the Boston Bruins (25-20-6), who own the first wild card.

BOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Avalanche look to break a three-game skid with a victory against the New York Rangers. New York has a 12-9-2 record in home games and a 24-20-4 record overall. The Rangers have gone 5-3-0 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent.

The New York Rangers don’t play until Saturday against the Boston Bruins. After their performance in the last two games, they could use these extra days off to practice.