NHL Betting: Jagr Scores Twice in Rangers Return to the Ice

Jaromir Jagr busted out with two goals. (AI Wire photo)

It came a day late, but the New York Rangers will take this gift. Jaromir Jagr broke out of a season-long slump with a two-goal performance that sent the Broadway Blueshirts to a 4-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.

Jagr only had seven goals through 36 games entering the contest as the NHL resumed its regular-season after a two-day Christmas break. But the Rangers’ right winger opened the scoring 2:25 into the second period and added an insurance marker midway through the third to send the betting total over 5.5 goals.

Heavily favored New York paid -170 on the puckline (meaning a winning hockey bet of $170 would net $100).

Chris Drury and Dan Girardi scored power-play goals in the third period to rally the Rangers from a 2-1 deficit.

In other early NHL action on Wednesday:

Ottawa 5, Buffalo 3: The Christmas break didn’t slow Dany Heatley at all. The Senators’ star had a goal and two assists to pace Ottawa to a road win that paid -110.

Dallas 8, Minnesota 3: Brenden Morrow's first goal of the third period sparked an offensive explosion as the Stars tallied four unanswered markers in the final frame at home. Dallas paid -125 in the lopsided win and the betting total was way over five. Streaking Mike Ribeiro had a goal and an assist for the Stars.

Detroit 5, St. Louis 0: Chris Osgood made 20 saves to blank his former team and Valterri Filppula scored two goals to lead the heavily favored Red Wings. Detroit paid -160 on the road.

Washington 3, Tampa Bay 2: The Capitals gave Bruce Boudreau the coaching job full-time, removing the “interim” tag from his title, and he guided his squad to a win at home. Matt Bradley broke a 2-2 tie with 2:53 to play in the third as the Capitals paid -125.

Columbus 2, Atlanta 0: Pascal Leclaire did it again, notching his NHL-high seventh shutout with 21 saves in Columbus. Dan Fritsche and Jared Boll scored the goals and the Blue Jackets paid -145.

Chicago 5, Nashville 2: Robert Lang scored two goals, including the winner, and the Blackhawks won at home, paying -125 to their backers.

New York Islanders 4, Toronto 3: Mike Comrie’s second goal of the game came with 10 seconds to go in overtime and lifted the Islanders at home, where they were -130 favorites.

For NHL odds for Thursday’s games, faceoff with the Bodog Sportsbook.