The New York Rangers faced a disappointing defeat against the Boston Bruins, ending in a 6-3 loss. This marked the third consecutive loss for the Rangers, who struggled to capitalize on opportunities despite J.T. Miller's impressive two-goal return. The performance left them in a precarious position as they fight for playoff contention in the Eastern Conference.

Despite Miller's offensive contributions, the Rangers were unable to gain any ground in the standings. The loss highlighted ongoing issues within the team's structure and game execution, raising concerns as they approach crucial upcoming matches.

Jon Irvin, known for his DFS expertise in MLB and NHL, welcomes listeners to a breakdown of the upcoming slate for February 5, 2025. Key matchups include a back-to-back for the Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid against the struggling Chicago Blackhawks. Irvin emphasizes finding low-owned players and utilizes statistics to optimize DraftKings and FanDuel lineups. Noteworthy picks include goalie Jakub Dobes, who boasts impressive early road performance, and budget-friendly forwards like Jonny Brodzinski, who faces a weak Boston defense. Irvin advises against following the crowd and encourages originality in lineup crafting.

With a focus on maximizing returns, Irvin highlights ideal goalie selections, emphasizing save bonuses and shot volume. He also suggests strategic stacking options with high-scoring forwards, leveraging the value of low-cost players to create a balanced lineup while pursuing top-tier talent like McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The episode wraps up by encouraging engagement through the RotoBaller Discord and utilizing valuable NHL tools for further insights.

Three NHL games highlight Wednesday night's schedule, following a successful betting night on Tuesday with a solid victory on a 3-way moneyline parlay. The Boston Bruins will face off against the New York Rangers, both teams coming off contrasting performances. The Bruins recently shut out the Minnesota Wild, while the Rangers managed to edge out the Vegas Golden Knights. The Edmonton Oilers take on the Chicago Blackhawks, aiming to maintain their winning streak against a struggling opponent. Lastly, the Montreal Canadiens visit the Los Angeles Kings, with both teams seeking to improve their standings. BetMGM's latest lines favor New York and Edmonton in their respective matchups.

The New York Rangers have announced that Adam Edström will be sidelined for a period ranging from two and a half to three and a half months due to a lower-body injury. This injury occurred during the game against the Boston Bruins, forcing him to leave early without returning. His status was confirmed before Tuesday's practice following his absence in the match against the Vegas Golden Knights.

At just 24 years old, Edström has played 51 games this season, tallying five goals, four assists, and a total of nine points while averaging 9 minutes and 16 seconds of ice time per game.

The IIHF has confirmed that Russia and Belarus will remain banned from all international ice hockey competitions for the 2025-26 season due to ongoing security concerns. This decision follows the suspension imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, highlighting the IIHF's commitment to safety in organizing tournaments.

This ban could significantly affect the participation of Russian players in the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where NHL players are expected to compete for the first time in 12 years. The IOC will ultimately decide Russia's eligibility for the games, which is a central issue for the new IOC president set to be elected in March 2025.

As of now, more than 50 Russian players are participating in the NHL, including top stars like Alex Ovechkin and Igor Shesterkin. Despite the ban, Russia has a strong presence in the ice hockey world, ranking second in men's teams globally, just behind Canada. However, the IIHF has emphasized that reintegration of these teams will only occur when security conditions improve. The IIHF plans to reassess the situation ahead of the 2026-27 season.