Rangers vs. Canadiens Odds, Preview, Prediction: Back New York to Pick Up First Win (Oct. 16)

Rangers vs. Canadiens Odds

The New York Rangers will cross the Canadian border for the first time since Feb. 20, 2020 — a game that also came at Bell Centre — for their first road contest of the young season.

The Canadiens are 0-2 and fresh off a pounding at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night but will hope to lick their wounds in their first home game since Game 4 of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final.

Each team has a -5 goal differential, which is tied for the worst among Eastern Conference teams.

Winless Rangers Look Improved

The Rangers are 0-1-1 after dropping consecutive games, most recently 3-2 against the Dallas Stars in their home opener Thursday.

The Rangers have been better than advertised thus far though, posting the fourth-best expected goals for (3.31) at 5-on-5 through two games. Their 55.47 expected goals for percentage at 5-on-5 is 10th-best in the NHL, and their 54 percent 5-on-5 Corsi  percentage is ranked eighth in the NHL.

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Canadiens Offense is M.I.A.

The Canadiens are clearly better in front of their home fans, and they'll almost certainly get a boost playing in front of what will undoubtedly be a full house at Bell Centre for the first time since Mar. 10, 2020.

Still, Montreal has been listless offensively, posting just nine high-danger chances at 5-on-5 through two games. Meanwhile, they've allowed 23 against, and their 29 percent high-danger chances for percentage ranks second-worst in the NHL.

Rangers vs. Canadiens  Pick

One of these teams is going to get its first win Saturday, and although Montreal's home-ice advantage is real, it would be hard to bet against the Rangers — particularly since the Canadiens are still without Carey Price in goal.

Pick: Rangers ML (-110)