The New York Rangers (-280) play host to the Montreal Canadiens (+230) at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. The total is 6 (O: +100, U: -120)Montreal (17-23-3) is playing the second of a back-to-back after suffering a 2-1 loss against the Islanders yesterday, their seventh defeat in a row away from home.
The Canadiens committed only two penalties in the game, holding the Islanders without a power play goal. Nick Suzuki scored the only goal for the Canadiens. Sam Montembeault had a terrific performance with 36 saves (.947%) in the loss.
New York (24-12-7) beat the Stars 2-1 (OT) on Thursday. Adam Fox and K’Andre Miller each scored once for the Rangers. Fox added an assist to lead the team in scoring. Igor Shesterkin was impressive in the win, making 24 saves (.960%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Rangers won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 4-1 victory on January 5. Filip Chytil led New York with two goals. Joel Armia scored Montreal’s only goal. Jaroslav Halak got the win, saving 17 of 18 shots (.944%).
FACING OFF
Montreal is averaging 2.56 goals per game for the season, 30th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Rangers team that is allowing 2.67 goals a game (7th). Meanwhile, New York has found the net 3.21 times a game on average, 14th in the league, and the Canadiens are allowing opponents to score 3.74 goals per game (29th).
Montreal averages fewer shots (27.9) than most teams in the league, ranking 30th. New York’s average of 32.8 attempts ranks eighth. Look for multiple power play opportunities for the Rangers, as the Canadiens are averaging 4.58 penalties per game, fourth-most in the NHL.
The visitors’ 12.53 penalty minutes a game ranks first-highest. The home team has been penalized 3.42 times a game (3rd-fewest in the league) for an average of 7.70 minutes (5th-fewest).
The Canadiens’ 15.79% power play percentage is the third-lowest in the league, while the Rangers rank 16th with a conversion rate of 21.74%. In terms of defending power plays, New York has the league’s 13th-ranked PK% at 79.51%, while Montreal is 22nd at 75.16%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 36 and 34 points this season, Suzuki and Cole Caufield have been the top skaters for the Canadiens. Caufield is among the league leaders with his 25 goals (10th). In the net, Montembeault (7-6-2) is Montreal’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.39 GAA and a .902% save percentage.
Jake Allen (10-16-1) leads the Canadiens in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 3.52 and a save percentage of .892%.Artemi Panarin (46 points), Mika Zibanejad (45), and Fox (44) lead the Rangers in scoring. Panarin has 11 goals and 35 assists (6th) in 43 games, while Zibanejad has 19 goals and 26 assists in 43 games.
Fox has nine goals and 35 assists (0th). Shesterkin (20-6-6) is the top goalie for New York with a goals against average of 2.44. He has a save percentage of .917%.
HOME AND AWAY
Montreal is 8-12-3 away from home this season. New York is 11-7-4 at home this season. Meanwhile, the Canadiens are 3-3 without a day off and 2-3 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Rangers are 0-4 with a rest advantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
NY Rangers -1.5 (-140)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
