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The Blackhawks vs. Rangers betting odds was coming in at Chicago -115, New York -105, Total: 5
Chicago Blackhawks (37-18-5) at New York Rangers (32-18-6)
The Rangers will be hoping to pick up a big home win when they host the Blackhawks on Wednesday. This match-up was nearly last year’s Stanley Cup Final—the Rangers dropped Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final at home—and it probably would have been a good one: The last six meetings between New York and Chicago have been decided by one goal. These franchises have been two of the league’s best teams over the past decade, and with both playing relatively well, you can expect another close contest.
The Rangers, who are 8-1-2 in their last 11 games, have seen their fortunes turn with the renaissance of Henrik Lundqvist (2.29 GAA, .924 SV%). The Swedish goaltender has allowed two goals or fewer in his last five starts; the Rangers are 27-5 ATS when they allow two goals or less in a game. In his last three games, Lundqvist hasn’t allowed an even-strength goal. But special teams continue to haunt the Rangers—they are last in the league in power-play goals per game (0.5) and struggle on the penalty kill. New York is 16-20 ATS this season against teams who score on greater than 17.5% of their power-play chances. Chicago, which possesses the league’s fifth-most lethal power play at 21.7% qualifies as a threat.
The Blackhawks, winners of three of the last six Stanley Cups and second in the Central Division, reload instead of rebuild. They continue to trot out high-scoring Patrick Kane (34 G, 48 A, 82 PTS) and captain extraordinaire Jonathan Toews (21 G, 20 A, 41 PTS), but it’s also new acquisitions Artemi Panarin (19 G, 35 A, 54 PTS) and Artem Anisimov (18 G, 15 A, 33 PTS) that have kept Chicago’s engine humming. And don’t sleep on the Blackhawks’ defense. Overall, it is second-best in the league at 2.3 goals against per game, thanks in large part to the play of sleeper Vezina candidate Corey Crawford (2.19 GAA, .930 SV%)
From top to bottom, the Blackhawks are a deep, skilled team that remains the biggest obstacle in the NHL.
The Rangers—who are 13-3 ATS in home games against goalies with a save percentage greater than .915—will receive a boost with the return of defenseman Ryan McDonagh (7 G, 19 A, 26 PTS). The young captain was playing his best hockey of the season before suffering a concussion last Saturday against Philadelphia.
Also essential to New York’s success is the production of its top two centers, Derek Stepan (12 G, 15 A, 27 PTS) and Derick Brassard (19 G, 23 A, 42 PTS). Both have six points since the All-Star Game. The Rangers are 21-5-3 at home this season, and will look to continue that form against the Blackhawks, who are just 15-11-3 away from the United Center.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
