New York Rangers vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, 1/5/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New York Rangers vs Montreal Canadiens

Date: Thursday, January 5, 2023

Location: Bell Centre in Montreal, QC

TV: TSN

Odds/Point Spread: Rangers (-194) Canadiens (+160)

The New York Rangers (21-12-6) are traveling to Bell Centre on Thursday where they will attempt to defeat the Montreal Canadiens (15-20-3). The moneyline on this contest has the Rangers at -194 while the Canadiens are priced at +160. The total comes in at 6.

The New York Rangers came out of this game feeling pretty good about themselves with a 5-3 win over the Hurricanes their last time out. The Rangers had a solid offensive performance in this win. In the outing, they were able to notch a goal on 5 of the 31 shots they attempted. Additionally, they had 5 chances with extra men on the ice and netted 3 goals. New York garnered 8 mins in the box in this game.

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While at even strength, the Rangers have surrendered 84 goals while notching 96 on the offensive side of the ice. New York Rangers opponents have 114 power play tries (25th in the league) and have come away with 22 goals in those chances. Regarding their scoring, the New York Rangers have tallied 126 goals (11th in pro hockey) over the course of the season and have conceded 106. New York has taken 1,270 shots and has a shot percentage of 9.9%. For the current campaign, they have earned 48 points and their points percentage is sitting at .615. The Rangers have seen 1,139 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .907. New York has compiled 126 power play chances and they have scored 30 goals during those chances, earning them a percentage of 23.81%.

The player between the pipes for this game is Igor Shesterkin. Opponents have racked up 289 goals against Shesterkin in his pro hockey career and his goals against average is 2.34. Shesterkin has been involved in 129 games over the course of his NHL career. His save percentage is .926 in his 7,416 minutes on the ice. He has an overall mark of 80-35-12 and he started in 124 games. Over the course of his time in hockey, Shesterkin has accumulated 84 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .677. Shesterkin has had 3,886 shots taken against him and has accrued 3,597 total saves.

In their last game, Montreal played the Predators in a matchup where the Canadiens went home in defeat by a final of 6-3. The Canadiens notched 3 goals out of the 27 shots on goal they tried. They had 4 chances on the power play in this outing but weren't able to score a goal.

For the year, the Montreal Canadiens have accounted for 99 goals, 33 points, in addition to a points percentage of .434. They have allowed 144 goals to be scored by of a combination of 108 goals at even strength and 36 goals while they were shorthanded. The Canadiens have tallied 81 goals at even strength and 18 goals (29th in hockey) while on the power play. They have a total of 120 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 15.00%. Montreal has tried 1,076 shots (28th in professional hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 9.20%, while allowing their opponents 1,280 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 73.91% on their opponents 138 power play tries, and their save percentage comes in at 88.8%.

Across the ice you are likely to see Jake Allen defending the goal. Allen is the owner of a career mark of 177-141-36 and has been in goal for 378 games. Allen's quality start rate comes out to 52.8% and he has qualified for 189 quality starting assignments in his career. He has recorded 9,508 saves out of the 10,451 shots taken, which gives him a save percentage of .910. Opponents are averaging 2.66 goals/game and he has given up 943 goals altogether. He got the starting nod in 358 contests and has been on the ice for 21,257 mins.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take New York (-194)

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