NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Canadiens vs Rangers (Thursday, February 15)
(Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images) Pictured: Alexis Lafreniere celebrates with teammates
Canadiens vs. Rangers Odds
| Canadiens Odds | +210 |
| Rangers Odds | -260 |
| Over / Under | 6 -115o / -105u |
Here's everything you need to know about the Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Rangers on Thursday, February 15 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
On Thursday, the Montreal Canadiens head to Madison Square Garden for an Original Six matchup against the New York Rangers. This marks the second of three meetings this season between these clubs.
When the Rangers and Canadiens squared off at the Bell Centre last month, Montreal came away with a thrilling 4-3 shootout victory.
Let's dig into the NHL odds and make a Canadiens vs. Rangers prediction.
The Canadiens have had some nice moments this season and are still within striking distance of a playoff spot, but remain a rebuilding team with an eye toward the future.
Montreal is a major work in progress right now, and its game has slipped considerably since the new year. The Canadiens are 7-7-3 since Jan. 1, and are 2-2-0 since trading center Sean Monahan over the NHL All-Star break. Outside of Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, Montreal's lineup has very little offensive pop, and the numbers show it.
On the season, the Canadiens' 2.75 goals per game are the league's sixth-fewest, and their 3.45 goals against per game are the sixth-most. Since the new year, Montreal's 42.95 xGF% at 5-on-5 is the NHL's third-worst mark, and its 3.03 xGA/60 at 5-on-5 ranks last. As a result, the Canadiens have the fifth-fewest regulation wins in the NHL and own the fourth-worst 5-on-5 expected goal differential.
Goaltender Sam Montembeault, who is expected to get the nod on Thursday, has helped keep Montreal in a lot of games. He boasts a .908 SV% and a 3.20 GSAx through 25 games. The 27-year-old was excellent when the Canadiens faced the Rangers last month, making 45 saves and stopping all three shooters in the shootout.
The Rangers' goaltending controversy was short-lived. After Jonathan Quick led New York to three consecutive wins while allowing four total goals, Igor Shesterkin silenced the critics on Monday, recording his first shutout of the season against the surging Calgary Flames. The former Vezina Trophy winner saved 3.18 goals above expected, which amounted to one of the best performances of his career.
Goaltending aside, the Rangers have generally quieted the concerns around their recent struggles with a five-game winning streak that dates back to Jan. 27. It hasn't necessarily been pretty, but New York looks to have regained its winning mojo following a difficult month. Perhaps this can be attributed to some personnel changes.
After losing to the San Jose Sharks on Jan. 23, the Blueshirts shook up their slumping bottom-six by scratching Nick Bonino and subsequently placing him on waivers. Ever since, New York is 5-1-0, and its third and fourth lines have accounted for a combined nine goals. This isn't to suggest Bonino was the root of the Rangers' struggles, but the team looks to have found something with their new-look third line — featuring Will Cuylle, Jonny Brodzinski and Kaapo Kakko — and in Bonino's replacement, Adam Edstrom.
New York must still clean up its power play. Once the league's No. 1 unit, the Blueshirts have now gone 17 consecutive attempts without finding the back of the net. They're desperately searching for answers, but will have an opportunity to get back on track against one of the NHL's worst penalty kills.
Thursday's contest marks the Rangers' final game before they head outdoors to MetLife Stadium for their Stadium Series tilt against the New York Islanders.
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Canadiens vs. Rangers
Betting Pick & Prediction
Despite the talent disparity, I'm not taking the Rangers outright at their current price. Instead, I'm looking at some shots on goal props.
New York's top line of Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere has been excellent all season, but they have combined for just one goal over the past three games. Against a weaker opponent, I expect them to drive play and get tons of pucks to the net.
Lafreniere has gone six games in a row with at least three shots on goal, while Trocheck, who hasn't scored since the break, has registered at least three shots on goal in three of the four games since. Both players had four shots on goal in last month's meeting with Montreal.
Still, Lafreniere is listed at only -122 to record 3+ shots on goal at FanDuel, and Trocheck is listed at -130. I'll bank on this line to put forth a dominant effort in a game where they should receive heavy minutes.
Picks: Alexis Lafreniere to Record 3+ Shots on Goal (-122 at FanDuel, Play to -140) | Vincent Trocheck to Record 3+ Shots on Goal (-130 at FanDuel, Play to -140)
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