Every team comes into the new NHL season with a certain level of pressure on their shoulders, but there are certainly some teams who have more pressure than others. The bookies favorites to win the Stanley Cup would be in that group, as would the teams that make up the Original Six. Even in cities where there is now a hockey club, you will find fans who have at least partial allegiance to one of those six teams. Given the history of those teams, the expectation is that they should always be among the best in the league, but it never really works out that way. If the season was to end today, only two from that group would be in the playoffs, while the Detroit Red Wings would be sitting with the worst record in the NHL. The New York Rangers still have a shot at making it three out of six, and while they still have some work to do, they are showing that they are up for the playoff fight. The Canadiens are favored by 1 ½ on home ice, with the goal total set at 6 ½. Let’s see how the NHL odds will be for the Rangers vs Canadiens.
Rangers vs Canadiens 2020 NHL Game Preview & Betting Odds
- When: Thursday, February 27 at 7 PM EST
- Where: Bell Centre, Montreal
- Live Stream : TSN2
- NHL Odds: Montreal Canadiens -1.5 / Total 6.5
Why bet on the New York Rangers
When you consider that this is essentially a rebuilding season for the New York Rangers, you have to be somewhat impressed that they are still very much in the playoff picture. They have been particularly hot of late, winning 4 in a row and going 8-2-0 in their last 10 games. While that is indeed a great run, it’s one that they need to maintain if they are to get above the playoff line. The Rangers, who are 34-24-4 on the season are currently 4 points off the pace at the moment, so they are certainly well within reach of the top 8 in the Eastern Conference. The two previous meetings with the Canadiens this season ended in a split, but the road team won both. The Rangers are 17-11-2 on the road, as well as being 21-9 ATS in those games.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.34
- Shots: 31.06
- PP/PK Percentage: 22.73
- Goals: 3.08
- Shots: 34.42
- PP/PK Percentage: 20.48
Why bet on the Montreal Canadiens
The outlook for the Montreal Canadiens this season is bleak, as they don’t look like they have what it takes to seriously challenge for a playoff spot. They are 29-27-9 on the season, a record that leaves them 9 points back of the final Wild Card spot in the East. The Canadiens aren’t really doing enough at the moment to lead anyone into believing that they can pull themselves into the hunt, going 4-4-2 in their last 10 games. One of the most disappointing aspects of their season is that they are 2 games below .500 at home, going 13-15-6. One of those losses was against the Rangers in a thrilling 6-5 game earlier this season. That aside, though, they are 8-4 SU in their last 12 games at home versus New York.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.03
- Shots: 34.23
- PP/PK Percentage: 19.08
- Goals: 3.06
- Shots: 31.25
- PP/PK Percentage: 21.35
Rangers vs Canadiens NHL Betting Trends
- NY Rangers are 8-1 SU in their last 9 games.
- NY Rangers are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games against Montreal.
- NY Rangers are 8-0 SU in their last 8 games on the road.
- NY Rangers are 4-8 SU in their last 12 games when playing on the road against Montreal.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal’s last 5 games.
- Montreal are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Montreal’s last 18 games at home.
- Montreal are 8-4 SU in their last 12 games when playing at home against NY Rangers.
Rangers vs Canadiens Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
While the Canadiens have been historically good against the Rangers at home, they are up against a New York team that is red hot at the moment. I am on the Rangers to won as the underdog here.
New York Rangers 4 Montreal Canadiens 3
