New York Rangers vs. Vancouver Canucks Prediction, NHL Odds
The Canucks will be playing their first back-to-back of the season Saturday after extending their win streak to three games in last night’s huge 5-0 win against the St. Louis Blues.
New York is in the midst of a three-game heater as well making this game one of the more exciting games on the schedule Saturday night.
The NHL odds have placed the visiting Rangers as -185 favourites on the moneyline (+145 on the puckline) for tonight’s match.
Rangers vs. Canucks NHL Betting Odds
The Rangers offence did whatever they wanted versus the Canucks last season, scoring 10 goals in their two meetings, leading them to a series sweep and smashing the Over in both games. The wins broke a five stretch where Vancouver beat them every time.
Both of these teams have been very solid defensively to open the season. The Rangers have allowed only 13 goals in seven games, second-best in the league and right behind them is the Canucks in third with 15 goals against.
The Blue Shirts’ defence has allowed only 0.6 goals during their three-game streak, pushing their record on the Over/Under to 1-6 on the year. They are 4-3 against the spread this season after covering in each game during the win streak.
A 6-1 record against the spread is quite surprising considering the expectations put on the team before the season. Vancouver’s defence has been the most surprising part of the team’s early success, but pairing that with scoring four goals per game, behind only three other teams and it could bid for an exciting team this season.
New York Rangers
Future Hall of Famer Johnathan Quick got the start Thursday versus the Oilers, stopping all 29 shots for his 59th career shutout leading the Rags to their third win in a row. New York took the game 3-0 getting the majority of the offence from their backend. Adam Fox (2nd) scored on the powerplay, while Braden Schneider scored his first of the season and added an assist for his first two points of the year. Picking up two assists in the game extended Artemi Panarin’s point streak to seven games (3G 7A).
The Rangers will be looking to build on their 4-1 record on the road tonight, with Igor Shesterkin back in the net. Igor is still looking to find his game this season, posting a lacklustre .897 save percentage and a 2.66 goals-against average.
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks are silencing the naysayers game after game, smashing the Blues 5-0 last night for their third consecutive win. Quinn Hughes scored the first two goals of the game and J.T. Miller had three points (1G 2A), while Vancouver held St. Louis to only 22 shots giving Thatcher Demko a relatively easy night in goal.
This was only their second home game of the season, after opening the season with an 8-1 win over the Oilers. They have outscored opponents 13-1 so far with a perfect 2-0 record. Saturday night will most definitely be their toughest test thus far, playing the Rangers, not to mention that it will be their second game of the weekend.
Casey DeSmith will likely be the starter for the ‘Nucks tonight, getting the nod for the second time this season. DeSmith has been solid in his first season in Vancouver, going 2-0 with a .938 save percentage.