Chicago Blackhawks vs New York Rangers Prediction, 1/4/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Chicago Blackhawks vs New York Rangers

Date: Thursday, January 4, 2024

Location: Madison Square Garden in New York, NY

TV: MSG+

Odds/Point Spread: Blackhawks (+310) Rangers (-400)

Madison Square Garden is where the New York Rangers (25-10-1) will play the Chicago Blackhawks (11-24-2) on Thursday. The line on this matchup has the Blackhawks at +310 while the Rangers are at -400. The over/under has been set at 7.

The Chicago Blackhawks were on the losing side of the ice with a 3-0 loss to the Predators in their previous game. The Blackhawks didn't have their best offensive outing in the defeat. In the game, they walked away having not converted any of the 21 shots they tried. Moreover, they had 3 attempts on the power play but weren't able to net one. Chicago had 13 penalty mins in this game.

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When talking about scoring goals, the Chicago Blackhawks have notched 87 goals (30th in pro hockey) for the season and have allowed 139. For the year, the have a total of 24 points and their points percentage comes in at .324. Chicago comes into the game with 115 power play chances and they have added 15 goals during those chances, giving them a rate of 13.04%. While at even strength, the Blackhawks have conceded 108 goals while earning 72 on offense. Chicago has taken 979 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 8.9%. The Blackhawks so far have had 1,229 shots attempted against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .887. Chicago Blackhawks opponents have recorded 119 power play opportunities (11th in the league) and have earned 31 goals in those chances.

The player in the crease for this game is Petr Mrazek. Opponents have notched 929 goals versus Mrazek in his professional career and his goals against average per contest is 2.79. Mrazek has been involved in 358 games over the course of his NHL career. He has a save percentage of .907 in his 19,971 mins guarding the cage. He has earned a record of 159-136-35 and was named the starter in 328 games. Over the course of his time in hockey, Mrazek has recorded 167 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .509. Mrazek has seen 9,987 shot attempts against him and has gathered 9,058 saves.

In their last contest, New York faced the Hurricanes in a game where the Rangers ended up taking the loss by a mark of 6-1. They had 3 power play opportunities in this matchup but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Rangers notched 1 goal of the 29 shots on goal they pursued.

The Rangers have accumulated 87 goals at even strength and 34 goals (4th in the NHL) while on the power play. New York has attempted 1,104 shots (20th in the league) and has earned a shot percentage of 10.96%, while allowing the opposition 1,072 shots. On the season, the New York Rangers have 121 goals, 51 points, in addition to a points percentage of .708. They have granted a total of 100 goals to be scored by of a combination of 82 goals at even strength and 18 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a total of 113 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 30.09%. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 83.64% on their oppositions 110 power play chances, and their save percentage is currently 90.7%.

On the other side of the ice you will find Igor Shesterkin patrolling the crease. Shesterkin holds a career record of 114-50-15 and has played in 181 games. Shesterkin's quality start rate comes out to 65.9% and he has made 116 quality starts in his pro career. He has tallied 5,008 stops out of 5,434 shots attempted, giving him a save % of .922. His opponents are averaging 2.43 goals per game and he has given up 426 goals overall. He got the starting nod in 176 games and has accumulated 10,507 mins.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Chicago (+310)

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