New York Rangers vs. Chicago Blackhawks Prediction, NHL Odds
The Rangers are -140 on the NHL odds with a total of 5.5 goals.
Rangers vs. Blackhawks NHL Betting Odds
Just four games on the Wednesday NHL slate and a single team from Canada in action with Calgary hosting Detroit, so the highlight game is likely this Original Six matchup featuring the Rangers at the Blackhawks. Last season, the four American Original Six clubs (these two, Boston and Detroit) all missed the playoffs for the first time in NHL history while the two Canadian clubs (Montreal and Toronto) made it.
New York missing the post-season for the first time since 2021 forced the team to make a coaching change in the off-season and pretty good chance the Blueshirts get back in this spring under new coach Mike Sullivan and with goalie Igor Shesterkin back to playing at a Vezina Trophy level. The Rangers are -125 for the playoffs.
Chicago is on the way up with some terrific young talent led of course by Connor Bedard, but likely a season away from playing extra hockey for the first time since 2020. The Blackhawks, also under a new coach in Jeff Blashill, are +950 on the NHL futures board for the playoffs.
It’s the first meeting of the season between the clubs with the Hawks at Madison Square Garden on March 27. The teams split last season, each winning on the road. New York is 8-2 in the past 10 meetings overall and the over-under is 7-3.
New York Rangers
The Rangers used to have one of the best home-ice advantages in the NHL at Madison Square Garden but are 3-8-3 at home and 12-4-1 away this year. Truly can’t explain that. They enter having won three straight away but on a two-game overall losing streak, dropping both 3-2 in overtime at home – most recently Sunday vs. Vegas. Mike Zibanejad (11th of season) and Alexis Lafreniere (seventh) had the New York goals against the Golden Knights for a 2-1 second-period lead. But backup goalie Jonathan Quick couldn’t hold it. Artemi Panarin had assist an Lafrenière’s goal, which marked his 582nd point with New York to tie Chris Kreider for the 10th most in franchise history. It should be back to No. 1 Igor Shesterkin in net Wednesday. The Russian has allowed three goals or fewer in seven straight overall and is 9-3-1 on the road with a 2.29 GAA and .918 SV. The Blueshirts remain without former Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox, who is on long-term IR and not eligible to return until late this month. The under is 4-1 in New York’s past five.
Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago’s stronger-than-expected started is a thing of the past as the team has dropped eight of 10 following a 7-1 wipeout in Anaheim on Sunday night to complete a four-game trip at 1-3. A lone bright spot Sunday was Tyler Bertuzzi scoring his 15th goal of the season and Connor Bedard assisting on it to reach 40 points (18G, 22A) in his 29th game this season. Only one other Blackhawk in the past 30 years has required as few games to reach the mark: Former Hart Trophy winner Patrick Kane in 26 games in 2015-16 and in 28 in 2020-21. The Ducks had a whopping 53 shots on goal, the first time they had generated at least 50 since March 28, 2014, to overwhelm Hawks backup Arvid Soderblom. It should be No. 1 Spencer Knight here, and he has been good overall but shelled for six goals Saturday at the Los Angeles Kings. The American has been better at home, going 5-3-3 with a 2.43 GAA and .915 SV. Chicago is 1-4 in its past five at home.
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