Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Rangers Prediction, NHL Odds
Montreal is -135 on the NHL betting odds with a total of 6.5 goals in their final meeting of the season.
Canadiens vs. Rangers NHL Betting Odds
The New York Rangers had a three-season playoff streak end in the 2024-25 campaign, so they dumped coach Peter Laviolette for ex-Penguins coach Mike Sullivan. Coaching definitely matters but it’s mostly about the talent on a roster, and the Rangers just don’t have enough right now as they are on track to finish with even fewer points this season. They are long eliminated from playoff contention. While Sullivan won’t be fired, there surely will be some significant changes in that marquee franchise. It’s not good for the NHL as a whole when the Blueshirts struggle.
While New York is playing out the string, Montreal needs every point the rest of the way as it jockeys for Eastern Conference playoff positioning and hasn’t even officially clinched a spot yet — it’s just a matter of time for that. The Canadiens could finish anywhere from atop the entire Eastern Conference (very unlikely) to a wild-card spot. This is a two points the team simply needs to have, even on the road.
It’s the third and final meeting between the clubs and New York tries for the unlikely sweep, winning 4-3 in Montreal on Oct. 18 and 5-4 in OT at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 13. But the Blueshirts were playing much better back then. Artemi Panarin leads the club with five points (2G, 3A) in the series but was traded to Los Angeles in February. Former Vezina winner Igor Shesterkin and backup Jonathan Quick both got a win in net. Nick Suzuki (2G, 1A) leads Montreal with three points. Jacob Fowler and Sam Montembeault each took a loss in net.
The Rangers are 7-3 in the past 10 meetings overall, and the over-under is 9-1.
Montreal Canadiens
Montreal is on the NHL’s longest winning streak at six in a row after a 4-1 upset victory at Tampa Bay on Tuesday in the third game of this five-game trip and a possible first-round Eastern Conference playoff preview. The winning streak is tied for the Habs’ third-longest in the past 10 seasons, and they have allowed one goal or fewer in four straight games for only the fifth time since 2005-06. Jakub Dobes has started the past two and been stellar but it might mean rookie Jacob Fowler’s turn Thursday. He has won back-to-back starts as well. Cole Caufield had the game-winning goal and an assist Tuesday. It was his NHL-leading 11th game-winner of the season, and only two other Montreal players have hit that total since 1980-81 in Max Pacioretty (11 in 2013-14) and Stephane Richer (11 in 1987-88). It was also Caufield’s 27th go-ahead goal of the season to pass current Bruins star David Pastrnak for the third most in a single campaign in NHL history. The record is untouchable: Brett Hull with 39 in 1990-91. Centre Alexandre Texier missed a fourth straight game Tuesday but may go here. Blueliner Alexandre Carrier also sat and not expected back before the playoffs. The under is 5-0 in Montreal’s past five road games.
New York Rangers
New York has followed a six-game skid with three straight wins, each by multiple goals. But those were all against fellow non-playoff clubs (and all at home). The club still has one of the world’s top goaltenders in Igor Shesterkin, who has allowed just two total goals in back-to-back home wins but actually has better overall road splits on the year. It probably will be the Russian again Thursday, although New York has been working in rookie Dylan Garand at times. The British Columbia native is 1-0-1 with a 1.44 GAA in his first two NHL starts. Former Norris Trophy-winning blueliner Adam Fox is two assists shy of becoming the second American defenceman in NHL history with six consecutive 40-assist campaigns, along with Gary Suter from 1987-88 through 1992-93 with Calgary. The under is 4-1 in the Rangers’ past five at home.
