Montreal Canadiens (16-17-5) vs New York Rangers (26-10-1)
2024-01-06 19:00:00 EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Montreal Canadiens +184 / New York Rangers -225 --- Over/Under: 6.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The New York Rangers will play the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. New York has alternated wins and losses over their last five games, while Montreal has lost four of their last five. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Rangers vs Canadiens prediction.
Rangers Preview
The New York Rangers are 26-10-1 this year after they defeated Chicago by a score of 4-1 in their last game. New York led 2-1 going into the third period and they were able to add two more insurance goals in the win. The Rangers out shot Chicago by a total of 32-23 and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. New York lost to Carolina by a score of 6-1 in the game prior to Chicago, but did defeat Tampa Bay before that. The Rangers are scoring 3.38 goals per game and they are allowing 2.73 goals against per game, while gong 30.4% on the power play and 84.1% on the penalty kill. Artemi Panarin has led New York with 24 goals, 29 assists, and 151 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for New York is Igor Shesterkin, who is 16-8-0 this year with a 2.76 goals against average and a .908 save percentage.
Canadiens Preview
The Montreal Canadiens are 16-17-5 this season after they lost to Buffalo by a score of 6-1 in their last game. Montreal only trailed 2-1 in the third period, but allowed four more goals in the loss. The Canadiens were out shot by a total of 38-33 and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Montreal defeated Dallas by a score of 4-3 in the game prior to Buffalo, but lost to Tampa Bay, Florida, and Carolina before that. The Canadiens are scoring 2.74 goals per game and they are allowing 3.45 goals against per game, while going 18.2% on the power play and 72.1% on the penalty kill. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with 12 goals, 22 assists, and 91 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Montreal is Sam Montembeault, who is 8-5-3 this year with a 2.94 goals against average and a .903 save percentage.
Montreal Canadiens Team Facts
The Canadiens have won three of their last four games as underdogs following a home loss.
The Canadiens have covered the puck line in each of their last six games at Bell Centre following a home loss.
The Canadiens have won the first period in each of their last nine games against the Rangers following a home loss.
The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last eight games following a home loss.
New York Rangers Team Facts
The Rangers have won each of their last five games at Bell Centre.
The Rangers have covered the puck line in each of their last seven night games at Bell Centre following a win.
The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last six games.
The Rangers have lost the first period in eight of their last 10 games at Bell Centre.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
Kirby Dach has scored a goal in each of his last three appearances with the Canadiens as home underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
Kirby Dach has recorded at least one point in each of his last six appearances with the Canadiens as home underdogs.
Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one assist in five of the Canadiens’ last six home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Nick Suzuki ranks 1st in the league for shootout goals (4) this season.
New York Rangers Player Prop Facts
Artemi Panarin has scored at least one goal in five of the Rangers’ last six games.
Mika Zibanejad has recorded at least one point in each of the Rangers’ last 10 games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
Artemi Panarin has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances in night games at Bell Centre.
Chris Kreider ranks 2nd in the Metropolitan Division for shooting percentage (20.0) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
The Montreal Canadiens rank 27th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.45).
The Montreal Canadiens rank T31st in the league for power play goals against this season (36).
The New York Rangers rank T6th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.73).
The New York Rangers rank 7th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (84.07%).
Rangers vs Canadiens Betting Prediction
Montreal comes into this game really struggling in recent games and they are only 7-10-2 at home this year. The Canadiens have allowed at least four goals in four of their last five games and will be playing one of the best teams in the NHL here. New York has been a little inconsistent in their last five games, but they are 13-5-1 on the road this season. The Rangers have been very solid defensively this year, but they have allowed 6 and 4 goals in their last two losses. I think New York is going to have a big day here and I like the over in this game.
