New York Rangers vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction, 3/9/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New York Rangers vs Montreal Canadiens

Date: Thursday, March 9, 2023

Location: Bell Centre in Montreal, QC

TV: TSN

Odds/Point Spread: Rangers (-300) Canadiens (+240)

Bell Centre is where the Montreal Canadiens (26-33-5) will meet the New York Rangers (35-19-9) on Thursday. The moneyline on this contest has the Rangers at -300 and the Canadiens are opening at +240. The over/under has been set at 7.

The New York Rangers will need a bounce back game after taking a 4-2 defeat against the Bruins in their previous outing. New York accrued 11 penalty minutes in this matchup. In addition, they had 3 power play tries and were able to notch 1 goal. The Rangers left a lot to be desired in terms of their offense in this defeat. In the matchup, they converted 2 of the 26 shots they attempted.

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At even strength, the Rangers have conceded 140 goals while having 162 on offense. New York Rangers opponents have tallied 179 power play tries (29th in the NHL) and have a total of 37 goals in those chances. In reference to scoring goals, the New York Rangers have earned 206 goals (13th in hockey) this year and have conceded 177. New York has taken 2,007 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.3%. For the current season, they have recorded 79 points and their points percentage comes in at .627. The Rangers thus far have had 1,834 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .903. New York steps onto the ice with 193 power play chances and they have notched 44 goals during those chances, earning them a rate of 22.80%.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Igor Shesterkin. Over the course of his career, Shesterkin has accounted for 92 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .657. His save percentage sits at .922 in his 8,363 mins in the crease. Shesterkin has had 4,349 shots taken against him and has recorded 4,011 saves. Opponents have been able to score 338 goals against Shesterkin in his pro career and his goals against average per game is 2.42. He has accumulated a mark of 89-40-14 and he started in 140 games. Shesterkin has taken the ice for 145 games over the course of his hockey career.

Their last time out, Montreal faced the Hurricanes in a game where the Canadiens got the tie by a final score of 3-3. They had 4 power play chances in this matchup but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Canadiens converted 3 goals out of the 24 shots on goal they tried.

The Canadiens have scored 141 goals at even strength and 31 goals (27th in pro hockey) while on the power play. Montreal has put up 1,778 shots (30th in the NHL) and has earned a shooting percentage of 9.67%, while allowing their opponents 2,158 shots. During this campaign, the Montreal Canadiens have earned a total of 172 goals, 57 points, in addition to a points percentage of .445. They have allowed 228 goals to be scored by way of 173 goals at even strength and 55 goals while they were shorthanded. They have a total of 194 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play rate of 15.98%. They have accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 74.30% on their opponents 214 power play chances, and their save percentage is currently 89.4%.

For the opposition you are going to see Jake Allen in net. Allen has amassed a career mark of 182-146-38 and has participated in 390 games. Allen's percentage of quality starts sits at 53.0% and he has earned 196 quality starts in his pro career. He has tallied 9,854 stops out of the 10,833 shots attempted, which gives him a rate of .910. Opponents are averaging 2.67 goals/game and he has conceded 979 goals altogether. He has made the start in 370 games and has played for a total of 21,980 mins.

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

Josh's Pick: Take New York (-300)

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