New York Rangers at Chicago Blackhawks odds, picks and predictions
The New York Rangers (32-16-3) and Chicago Blackhawks (14-35-2) clash Friday. The opening faceoff at the United Center is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Rangers vs. Blackhawks odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
New York heads to Chicago after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-1 Wednesday. The Rangers may have been well-served by the All-Star break. They went just 3-6-2 from Jan. 6-26 but have won 3 straight -- 2 since the break -- over their last 3 games.
The Blackhawks hosted the Minnesota Wild Wednesday. The banged-up club with the fewest points in the NHL (30) lost to the Wild 2-1. Chicago heads into Friday night looking to snap a 5-game losing streak (0-5-0).
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Rangers at Blackhawks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Rangers -300 (bet $300 to win $100) | Blackhawks +230 (bet $100 to win $230)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers -1.5 (-115) | Blackhawks +1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Rangers at Blackhawks projected goalies
Igor Shesterkin (19-12-1, 2.86 GAA, .899 SV%) vs. Petr Mrazek (12-20-1, 2.89 GAA, .910 SV%, 1 SO)
Shesterkin is making his 1st post-break appearance after struggling over the back half of January (.845 SV% Jan. 18-26). The good news for New York bettors is that 1 of the netminder's best starts last month came against these Blackhawks. Shesterkin held Chicago to 1 goal on 23 shots Jan. 4.
Mrazek also started that Jan. 4 meeting; he allowed 4 goals on 32 shots. He allowed 2 goals in the Minnesota loss Wednesday and owns a winless .941 SV% over his last 4 starts.
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Rangers at Blackhawks picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 3, Blackhawks 2
Moneyline
Chicago is a lean on the puck line but not deserving of a look here unless the return were to jump about 15 cents. STEER CLEAR.
Puck line/Against the spread
New York is playing its 3rd game since the break and its 1st on the road. Not too far back in the Rangers' rearview mirror is a 1-4-2 stretch on road ice (Jan. 6-23), and New York has not generated a ton of quality scoring chances in its 2 games of the 2nd half.
Speaking of such chances, the Chicago defense coughed up 15 five-on-five high-danger looks Wednesday and has been prone to a few such games since mid-January. But the 'Hawks have had seven 1-goal games in their last dozen, and Mrazek between the pipes gives Chicago enough of a chance of staying close. He owns a sparkling .928 SV% in the United Center this season.
BACK THE BLACKHAWKS +1.5 (-105).
Over/Under
The 'Hawks have often at least been pesky against good teams. In their games against over-.500 clubs, the Under has gone 15-8. Overall, the Under is 8-2 in their last 10 games and 12-3 across their last 15.
New York has scored 2 goals or fewer in 5 of its last 7 on the road. Chicago has done well of late to stay out of the box; that could tamp down the impact of the Rangers' excellent 26.6% powerplay.
TAKE THE UNDER 5.5 (-105).
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