Blackhawks vs. Rangers Pick
Will the Chicago Blackhawks record the upset tonight when they take on the host New York Rangers at 8PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Rangers are a -150 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Blackhawks are a +130 underdog, while the total sits at 5.5 goals.
Chicago enters with an 18-14-5-1 record after a 4-3 overtime loss at the Flames on Sunday. New York is 21-13-1-4 following a 3-2 overtime victory at the Sabres in the Winter Classic on Monday. The Blackhawks won the first meeting this season by a 6-3 final on their home ice Nov. 15. Chicago is 3-1 in four meetings since the start of last season. The over-under is 2-2 in those games.
The Blackhawks were led by Jordan Oesterle, Brandon Saad and Jonathan Toews in the loss at Calgary as each tallied a goal and an assist. Jeff Glass made 35 saves on 39 shots to take the defeat. Saad tied the score at 3-3 with 1:46 left in regulation before the Flames won in OT.
New York received a game-winning goal from JT Miller midway through the overtime to send the Rangers to the victory over Buffalo. He also notched an assist in the contest. Paul Carey also scored a goal. Henrik Lundqvist notched 31 saves on 33 shots to post the win. The Rangers led 2-1 until giving up the tying goal early in the third period.
The road team is 6-1 in the last seven meetings. The under is 6-2-1 in the last nine meetings.
New York didn’t necessarily play all that great on New Year’s Day, but ultimately recorded the win as big favorites. The Blackhawks are in the opposite boat as they are coming off an OT loss, which should have them focused on finishing the job here. But I can’t side with the underdogs as goaltender Corey Crawford is out with an upper body injury. Glass has had some success, but he’s no Crawford. Take Lundqvist and the Rangers.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: NEW YORK RANGERS -150