Vancouver Canucks vs. New York Rangers Prediction, NHL Odds
The Canucks open a four-game road trip on a high after topping Calgary 7-1 on Thursday, which also marked their fourth victory in five outings. The Rangers return home for their third game in four nights after falling 1-0 in Pittsburgh on Saturday, but have earned at least a point in four of five dates at Madison Square Garden.
The Canucks have gained ground since opening as +122 road underdogs, improving to +119 despite attracting just 30% of bets. The Rangers remain perched as -143 home favourites, and the total has remained steady at 6.0. However, backed by 77% of sports bettors, the UNDER has emerged as a -120 favourite.
Canucks vs. Rangers NHL Betting Odds
Sunday night’s matchup marks the second and final regular season meeting between these clubs. The Canucks skated to a 3-2 overtime win when they hosted the Rangers on November 2, extending their head-to-head win streak to four games. Six of the past seven meetings between these teams have been settled by just a single goal, including each of the Canucks’ past three wins. Low scoring has also been commonplace, with these clubs combining to score an average of just 4.2 total goals per game over their past five clashes, fueling a steady 5-0 run for the UNDER in puck totals betting.
However, Vancouver shooters have tallied 12 total goals during the team’s current two-game surge, and have scored five or more goals in four of their past seven, powering a 7-1-0 run for the OVER. The Rangers have leveraged a stingy defence while winning five of seven. New York has limited opponents to just a single goal in three straight contests, and allowed just 11 total goals during a 5-1-1 run. The Rangers have also been a force on home ice, going 9-1-2 in 12 contests since mid-December.
Vancouver Canucks
After struggling to score during a January swoon, the Canucks have rediscovered their offensive touch. The club humbled the previously red-hot Flames in Thursday’s rout, and have now outshot opponents by a wide 84-57 margin during their 2-0-0 run. A recent subject of trade speculation, JT Miller has powered the attack, tallying four goals and 11 points during a five-game points streak. Miller also scored twice in the team’s November win over the Rangers. Goaltender Thatcher Demko has also been steady of late, but has struggled with inconsistency on the road, surrendering at least four goals in four of his past eight away appearances.
New York Rangers
With the Rangers’ offence failing to consistently produce, the credit for the team’s recent success must go to netminder Igor Shesterkin. The 26-year-old has cemented his position as the favourite to win this season’s Vezina Trophy while allowing just 10 goals over his past seven appearances, and sports a spectacular .958 save percentage over that stretch. However, the New York offence must provide the talented Russian with more support after scoring just four total goals over their past three home dates.
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