The New York Rangers (22-20-3) visit the Montreal Canadiens (22-19-4) Sunday with puck drop from Bell Centre set for 7 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s NHL odds around the Rangers vs. Canadiensodds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Rangers lead 2-0
The Rangers grabbed their fourth win in 5 games Saturday, beating the Columbus Blue Jackets 1-0 in a shootout as -202 home favorites with the Under (6.5) hitting. G Igor Shesterkin picked up his second shutout of the season, stopping all 27 shots. C Vincent Trocheck scored the lone goal of the shootout.
The Canadiens fell 7-3 as +128 home underdogs vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday night as the Over (6) cashed. LW Patrik Laine scored a goal and added an assist, but G Sam Montembeault had a rough night, giving up 6 goals on 33 shots.
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Rangers at Canadiens odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 11:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Canadiens -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers -1.5 (+200) | Canadiens +1.5 (-250)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Rangers at Canadiens projected goalies
Jonathan Quick (6-5-1, 2.98 GAA, .900 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Jakub Dobes (4-0-0, 0.98 GAA, .963 SV%, 1 SO)
Quick’s last start was a 5-4 OT loss in New York against the Dallas Stars Jan. 7, saving 34 of 39 shots. Quick has just 1 win since Nov. 30, which coincidentally was his last outing against the Canadiens, stopping 25 of 28 shots in a 4-3 home victory.
Dobes remains undefeated in his young NHL career. In his latest outing Thursday — a 3-1 victory at the Stars — he saved 32 of 33 shots. Over his 4 career starts, the 23-year-old netminder has surrendered only 4 total goals. Saturday marks his first career matchup against the Rangers.
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Rangers at Canadiens picks and predictions
Prediction
Canadiens 2, Rangers 1
Moneyline
BET CANADIENS (-105).
Dobes has been nothing short of incredible. He kicked off his career with a 4-0 shutout win at the defending champion Florida Panthers Dec. 28 and followed it up with wins over big-time teams like the Colorado Avalanche, Stars and Washington Capitals — all on the road.
Both squads are playing solid hockey right now. The Rangers have won 4 of their last 5 games, while the Canadiens have taken 5 of their last 7. But it looks like New York is giving its top goalie a breather Sunday, which could swing things Montreal’s way.
This will be Dobes’ first home start, and you know the Montreal crowd will have his back. With the Canadiens as underdogs, I’ll take a shot on them pulling off the upset at home.
Puck line/Against the spread
PASS.
I’m not playing around with the puck line against Dobes. It’ll be a tight affair with Montreal sneaking by in the end.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 6.5 (-120).
If the Canadiens are going to win, it’ll have to be in a low-scoring game, leaning on their young, talented goalie. Think along the lines of a 2-1 or 1-0 matchup Sunday.
The Under has hit in 4 of the Rangers’ last 5 games, and none of Dobes’ 4 starts this season have even hit 6 total goals. All signs point to another Under here.
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