The New York Rangers will look to stay hot at home when they host the defending champion Chicago Blackhawks in a matchup that looks like one of the most exciting NHL contests all week. The pair of title hopefuls will square off on Wednesday, February 17 at 8:00 PM ET, live from Madison Square Garden in the Big Apple. Now, let’s find out which team will walk away victorious. If you wish to bet on this or other pro hockey games make sure to stop by our NHL betting page by clicking here.

How To Bet The Chicago Blackhawks vs. New York Rangers NHL Odds & TV Info

When: Wednesday, February 17, 8:00 PM ET Where: Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York TV: NBCSN Radio: ESPN NY 98,7 Stream Option: NBCSN Live NHL Odds: New York Rangers -118 Over/Under: 5 The New York Rangers are -118 home favorites to win and cash in while the game’s Over/Under total sits at 5.

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— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 16, 2016

Why Bet The Chicago Blackhawks Odds

Because they’re the better offensive team and a tad desperate right now! The Blackhawks (37-18-5) managed to snap a three-game losing streak by pounding Toronto silly in its 7-2 rout on Monday night, but the defending champs are just 5-5 over their last 10 games, so I expect them to play with a bit of ‘desperation’ tonight. Chicago has gone 15-11-3 on the road this season, so they’ll undoubtedly have a shot. The Blackhawks rank seventh in scoring (2.8 gpg) and an even more impressive fourth in gals allowed (2.3 gpg).

Why Bet The New York Rangers Odds

Because they’ve been very hard to beat at home this season! The Rangers (32-18-4-2) smacked Philadelphia around on Sunday en route to a convincing 3-1 home win that helped them improve to 4-1 over their last five games and a blistering 21-5-3 on their home ice this season. New York has scored at least three goals in five of their last six games and seven times in their last 10 games overall. New York ranks fifth in scoring (2.9 gpg) and a solid 13th in defense (2.5 gpg).

Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction

While a whopping 75 percent of the betting public likes Chicago to get the win at home tonight, I’m going ‘the other way’ with my pick on this interesting matchup. Not only do the Blackhawks have arguably the best player in the game today in superstar center Patrick Kane, but they’ve also gone 9-3 in their last 12 road games, 8-3 in their last 11 games against their Eastern Conference counterparts and 20-8 in their last 28 games overall. I know the Rangers are 5-1 in their last six games overall and 11-5 in their last 16 home games against a team with a winning road record, but New York is also just 4-12 in their last 16 games following a win and a discouraging 1-5 in their last six games against a team with a winning percentage above .600. With the Over going 4-1-1 in Chicago’s last six games and 9-0-2 in the Rangers’ last 11 games against Western Conference teams, I also like the Over in this contest. My final score prediction: Chicago 4 New York 2