Free NHL Picks Today: New York Rangers vs Chicago Blackhawks 12/3/22

Free NHL Picks Today: New York Rangers vs Chicago Blackhawks 12/3/22
Sat 3rd December 2022

The New York Rangers (-275) play host to the Chicago Blackhawks (+225), who will be looking to end their losing streak, at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. The total is 6.5 (O: +100, U: -120)Chicago (6-12-4) is coming off a high-scoring 5-4 loss against the Oilers on Wednesday, their eighth straight defeat.

The Blackhawks committed four penalties in the game, though they held Edmonton without a power play goal. Max Domi led the Blackhawks with two goals. Arvid Soderblom saved only 36 of 41 shots against (.878%) in the loss.

New York (11-9-5) is playing the second of a back-to-back after suffering a 3-2 overtime loss against the Senators yesterday, their third consecutive defeat at home. Vitali Kravtsov and Mika Zibanejad each scored once for the Rangers. Igor Shesterkin had 34 saves in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Rangers won both games between the teams last season, including a 6-2 victory in their final meeting in December, their fourth straight win against Chicago. Artemi Panarin led New York with four points (2G 2A). Erik Gustafsson and Kirby Dach were on the scoresheet for Chicago. Alexandar Georgiev got the win, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923%).

FACING OFF

Chicago is averaging 2.55 goals per game for the season, 30th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Rangers team that is allowing 2.80 goals a game (10th). Meanwhile, New York has found the net 2.96 times a game on average, 20th in the league, and the Blackhawks are allowing opponents to score 3.68 goals per game (28th). Chicago averages fewer shots (26.2) than any other team in the league.

New York’s average of 34.0 attempts ranks sixth. The Blackhawks’ 22.54% power play percentage ranks 15th in the league, while the Rangers are 21st with a conversion rate of 20.24%. In terms of penalty killing, New York has the league’s eighth-ranked PK% at 81.58%, while Chicago is 24th at 74.03%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

Patrick Kane and Domi have been the top skaters for the Blackhawks this season with 17 and 16 points. In the net, Soderblom (2-5-2) is Chicago’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.24 GAA and a .905% save percentage.

Zibanejad, Panarin, and Adam Fox lead the Rangers in scoring with 26 points apiece. Zibanejad has 12 goals and 14 assists in 25 games, while Panarin has six goals and 20 assists in 25 games.

Fox has six goals and 20 assists. Shesterkin (10-4-3) is the top goalie for New York with a goals against average of 2.58. He has a save percentage of .913%.

HOME AND AWAY

Chicago is 2-5-2 away from United Center this season. New York is 4-5-4 at Madison Square Garden this season. Meanwhile, the Rangers are 2-3 without a day off and 1-2 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Blackhawks are 1-1 with a rest advantage.

SportsTips’ NHL Pick:

NY Rangers -1.5 (-105)

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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

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