The Montreal Canadiens, led by Max Domi and Jonathan Drouin, are ready to take the ice against Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, and the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden in an Original Six showdown. The opening face-off is at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, March 1, and fans at home can witness the game live on The Sports Network.
Montreal Canadiens at New York Rangers Odds
Montreal is 34-30 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 5.5 units this season. Through 64 regular season matches, 33 of its games have gone under the total, while 28 have gone over and just three have pushed. This 2018-19 Canadiens team is 15-16 SU on the road.
Montreal has converted on just 12.8 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 31st in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 17th overall, and it has successfully killed off 80.1 percent of its penalties..
Sporting a .917 save percentage and 27.3 saves per game, Carey Price (26-24-5) has been the primary option in goal for Montreal this season. If head coach Claude Julien decides to rest him, however, Montreal could go with Antti Niemi (8-8-2), who has a .889 save percentage and 3.75 goals against average this year.
On the other side of the rink, New York is 27-36 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 63 regular season matches, 34 of its games have gone over the total, while 28 have gone under and just one has pushed. This season, the team’s 16-17 SU as the home team.
The Rangers have converted on just 21.0 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 27th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.1 percent of all penalties.
Henrik Lundqvist (29.3 saves per game) has been the primary netminder in the crease for the Rangers. Lundqvist has 17 wins, 26 losses, and nine OT losses to his credit and has recorded a poor .907 save percentage and 3.04 goals against average this season.
Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Rangers Betting Picks
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The Rangers (6-2 in shootouts) has significantly more experience this season in games decided by shootout. The Canadiens, however, is undefeated in two shootouts this year.
- For both of these teams, the total has gone over in three of their last five matchups.
- Montreal’s attempted 33.3 shots per game overall this season (the second-most in the NHL), and 31.0 in its last five road outings.
- This game features two of the tougher teams in the league. Montreal skaters have accounted for the league’s fifth-most hits per game (26.6) while the Broadway Blueshirts have recorded the fifth-most (26.2).
