Squaring off for the final time this year, the Chicago Blackhawks and the New York Rangers collide at Madison Square Garden for an Original Six showdown. The match gets started at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 3 and it can be caught live on NBC Sports Network.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. New York Rangers Odds
Chicago (+130) is playing the role of underdog to New York (-150), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-120 for the over, +100 for the under).
New York is 21-18 straight up (SU) and has earned 0.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a slide from what the team recorded during last years regular season (48-34). Of its 39 games this season, 20 have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under and just two have pushed. This season, the team is 15-9 SU at home.
The Rangers have converted on 19.0 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked fifth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 84.0 percent of all penalties.
The Rangers, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 3.7 times per game overall this season, and 4.8 per game over their past five games. The teams had to kill penalties for just 7.8 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 29.2 saves per game with a .922 save percentage, Henrik Lundqvist (18-15-4) has been the best option in goal for New York this year. If the Broadway Blueshirts, however, choose to give him the night off, the team could turn to Ondrej Pavelec (3-6-6 record, .924 save percentage, 2.61 goals against average).
Mats Zuccarello and J.T. Miller will both lead the charge for the Rangers. Zuccarello (30 points) has tallied eight goals and 22 assists and has recorded multiple points six times this year. Miller has eight goals and 19 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 19 contests.
Chicago is 18-20 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 38 regular season outings, 20 of its games have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and just two have pushed. The Blackhawks are 8-13 SU as the away team this season.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 15.1 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s ranked 29th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 23rd overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.2 percent of all penalties.
Chicago’s players have been whistled for penalties 3.7 times per game this season, and 3.0 per game over their last ten games. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 7.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (27.9 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for Chicago. Crawford owns a 16-12-2 record, and has registered a .929 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average this year.
Patrick Kane (16 goals, 22 assists) will lead the attack for the visiting Blackhawks.
Chicago Blackhawks at New York Rangers Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Four of New York’s last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 1-3 in those games and 2-4 overall in shootouts this year.
- The total has gone under in four of New York’s last five outings.
