Rangers vs Canadiens Prediction 4/2/26 NHL Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Rangers vs Canadiens prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, April 2nd at Madison Square Garden in New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

New York Rangers Betting Preview

The New York Rangers are 31-35-9 this season after they defeated the Devils by a score of 4-1 in their last game. New York had their lead cut to 2-1 in the second period, but they scored the last two goals to pull away with the win. The Rangers recorded 23 shots in the game, won 48.1% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play. New York got goals from Chmelar, Miller, Zibanejad, and Sheary, while Shesterkin stopped 22 out of 23 shots, which was a .957 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, New York defeated the Panthers by a score of 3-1 and the Blackhawks by a score of 6-1. The Rangers have won three games in a row and they are currently last in the Metro standings with 71 points. New York has scored 2.83 goals per game and they have allowed 3.09 goals against per game, while also going 24.5% on the power play and 78.5% on the penalty kill this season. Mika Zibanejad has led NY with 33 goals and 37 assists, while Vincent Trocheck has added 15 goals and 34 assists. The projected starting goalie for New York is Igor Shesterkin, who is 24-16-6 with a 2.52 goals against average and a .912 save percentage this season. 

Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview

The Montreal Canadiens are 43-21-10 this year after they defeated the Lightning by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Montreal was tied at one after the first period, but they scored once in the second and twice in the third for the win. The Canadiens were out shot by a total of 37-23, won 54.1% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Montreal got goals from Caufield, Slafkovsky, Suzuki, and Matheson, while Dobes stopped 36 out of 37 shots, which was a .973 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Montreal defeated the Hurricanes by a score of 3-1 and the Predators by a score of 4-1. The Canadiens have won six games in a row and they are currently third in the Atlantic standings with 96 points. Montreal has scored 3.51 goals per game and they have allowed 3.10 goals against per game, while also going 24.6% on the power play and 77.0% on the penalty kill this season. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with 27 goals and 65 assists, while Lane Hutson has added 11 goals and 62 assists. The projected starting goalie for Montreal is Jacob Fowler, who is 7-5-2 with a 2.59 goals against average and a .903 save percentage this season. 

Why the New York Rangers will win

• The Canadiens have lost each of their last five games as road favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Rangers have won three of their last four games as underdogs against the Canadiens.
• The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in 17 of their last 18 games as road favorites.
• The home team has covered the puck line in each of the Rangers’ last five games.
• The Rangers have won the third period in each of their last five home games against Atlantic Division opponents.

Why the Montreal Canadiens will win

• The Canadiens have won each of their last six games.
• The Rangers have lost seven of their last eight games against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Canadiens have covered the puck line in each of their last eight road games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The Rangers have failed to cover the puck line in three of their last four games against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Canadiens have won the second period in each of their last nine games when trailing after the first period.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the last nine games between the Canadiens and Rangers have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Seven of the Canadiens’ last eight games as favorites against opponents on a winning streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last 20 games as favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the last five games between the Canadiens and Rangers.

New York Rangers Player Prop Facts

• Adam Fox has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances against the Canadiens.
• Conor Sheary has scored a goal in each of the Rangers’ last four home games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts

• Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one assist in 11 of the Canadiens’ last 12 games as road favorites.
• Cole Caufield has scored at least one goal in six of his last seven road appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Juraj Slafkovsky has scored the first goal in four of the Canadiens’ last five road games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The New York Rangers rank 6th in the league in power play percentage this season (24.48%).
• The New York Rangers rank 25th in the league for goals per game this season (2.83).
• The Montreal Canadiens rank 3rd in the league for goals per game this season (3.51).
• The Montreal Canadiens rank 4th in the league in power play percentage this season (24.64%).

Rangers vs Canadiens Prediction 

Montreal comes into this matchup on a six game winning streak and they are just four points behind first in the Atlantic. The Canadiens are 21-8-8 on the road this year, while the Rangers are 12-18-7 at home. New York is having a terrible season, but they have won three games in a row and Shesterkin still has elite numbers. Both teams have allowed one goal in three straight games and I think the defenses will control the game here. Take the under in this one.