The New York Rangers (35-19-9) and Montreal Canadiens (26-33-5) meet Thursday at Bell Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+).
The Rangers lost as +148 underdogs 4-2 at the Boston Bruins Saturday. LW Alexis Lafrenière scored both goals for the Rangers, who have lost 6 of their last 8 games.
The Canadiens lost as +296 home underdogs Tuesday in a 4-3 shootout loss vs. the Carolina Hurricanes. Montreal blew an early 2-goal lead for its 4th straight loss.
This season’s series is tied 1-1 with the Under hitting in both meetings. Montreal won as a +316 road underdog 2-1 in the most recent meeting Jan. 15 as the Under (6) cashed.
Rangers at Canadiens odds
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers -280 (bet $280 to win $100) | Canadiens +235 (bet $100 to win $235)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers -1.5 (-115) | Canadiens +1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Rangers at Canadiens projected goalies
Igor Shesterkin (27-11-7, 2.67 GAA, .909 SV%, 1 SO) vs Sam Montembeault (12-13-2, 3.30 GAA, .905 SV%)
Shesterkin is 2-1-0 in 3 career starts vs. Montreal with a 1.69 GAA and .948 SV% (91 saves against 96 shots). The 2022 Vezina Trophy winner is 12-3-4 in 19 road starts this season and has allowed 50 goals on 574 shots, good for a 2.64 GAA and .913 SV%.
Montembeault is 3-0-0 in 3 career starts vs. New York with a 2.92 GAA and .910 SV% (91 saves against 100 shots). He’s 6-4-0 in 10 home starts this season and has allowed 29 goals on 320 shots, good for a 2.97 GAA and .909 SV%.
Rangers at Canadiens picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 3, Canadiens 2
Moneyline
PASS.
New York (-280) should win, but it is being slightly overvalued on the moneyline considering its poor play as of late. Bet the puck line and/or total instead.
Puck line/Against the spread
BET CANADIENS +1.5 (-105).
Montembeault is undefeated vs. New York in his career and if he can keep this game lower-scoring, it would favor Montreal on the puck line. The Canadiens have had trouble winning straight up lately, but their last 4 losses have all been by just 1 goal.
New York has scored more than 3 goals in just 1 of its last 8 games and should struggle to win by margin while its offense underperforms.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 6.5 (-115).
The Rangers’ offense has been underwhelming lately and the Under is 3-1-1 in New York’s last 5 road games. The Under has hit in 4 of the last 5 meetings between these teams and Thursday’s matchup should be another low-scoring affair with 2 goalies projected to start who have had success vs. the teams they’re facing.