Though a 3-5-1 start is not exactly a cause for Rangers fans to celebrate, it’s probably about what they expected heading into Year 1 (officially) of the rebuild. Some fans may feel the team looks a little better than expected and personally, I don’t think they’d be wrong. If you’re a sports bettor, don’t look past this Rangers team, but pick each spot carefully. There has to be enough upside to justify a wager.

Thursday night, in Chicago, the Rangers will take on the Blackhawks and oddsmakers have sold the road team short. It’s still a bet that will lose more often than it wins — as is the case with many road wagers — but the value is with Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers as they kick off a four-game road trip.

Lundqvist appears to be rejuvenated, and his current form has been reminiscent of the old days. According to Corsica Hockey, Lundqvist has posted a five-on-five save percentage of 94.48 through seven games, and if that’s a sign of things to come, the King might just be turning back the clock,

The play: There isn’t much separating these two Original Six teams, but the odds suggest otherwise. The value is on the Rangers at +140.

Andy MacNeil handicaps hockey for VSiN’s Point Spread Weekly. Details at VSiN.com/subscribe