The New York Rangers finally stumbled, losing to the Winnipeg Jets 4-1 at home on Tuesday night. But they have a chance to right the ship in a big road game against Original Six rivals, the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night. The Canadiens stayed perfect in the season with a tight 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Which of these two top Eastern Conference teams walks out of Bell Centre with a win in tow?
The New York Rangers outshot visiting Winnipeg 41-29 on Tuesday night, but found themselves on the losing end of a 4-1 decision at Madison Square Garden. Sensational rookie Oscar Lindberg was held without a point after being limited to just one shot on goal. Lindberg leads the Rangers with four points after scoring four goals in his first three games.
[sc:NHL240 ]Losing at home should only light a fire under the Rangers to get another win against their Original Six opponents in the Montreal Canadiens. The Rangers happen to be one of the best road teams in the league; they had a league-best 28 wins on the road last season and won their first two road contests this year.
The Rangers’ star netminder in Henrik Lundqvist has been stellar on the road, winning his last four away from MSG. He’s allowed two or less goals in three of those games. But he hasn’t fared too well against Montreal. Lundqvist is 14-13-2 with a 2.69 GAA and .902 save percentage in 30 games against Montreal.
A meeting against the Canadiens could finally open up last season’s leading scorer, Rick Nash. New York’s left winger has scored eight points (four goals and four assists) and has a plus/minus of three in 13 career games against the Canadiens. Center Derek Stepan has also showed some of his best games against the Canadiens with a goal and eight assists in 16 career matchups.
The Rangers have won four straight on the road heading into this contest.
Betting on the Montreal Canadiens
Team captain Max Pacioretty scored twice, and Tomas Flieschman scored on an odd man rush to keep the Montreal Canadiens a perfect 4-0 this season. The Habs finished off a four-game road trip with a tight 3-2 victory at Pittsburgh. They have a chance to go for 5-0 in big matchup against Original Six rival New York at Bell Centre tonight.
Pacioretty has enjoyed skating against the Rangers in his career. He’s scored 10 points (six goals and four assists) in 20 career games against New York. He’ll have some support from the blue line in P.K. Subban. Arguably the best defenseman in the league not named Erik Karlsson (Ottawa), Subban has been a solid playmaker for the Habs. Subban has four assists in four games this season and a plus/minus of five. He has nine points (a goal and eight assists) in 17 games against the Rangers in his career.
Montreal has been kept afloat by solid efforts by Carey Price (3-0, 1.67 GAA). The Habs goalie was the recipient of the Hart, Vezina, and William M. Jennings Trophies as well as the Ted Lindsay Award last season. He has a very solid .945 save percentage this season. Price faces a favorable matchup in the Rangers. He’s 10-5-1 with a 1.86 GAA lifetime against New York.
Price has won four of his last five starts against the Rangers.
Writer’s Prediction
Both teams will be fired up for this contest, but Lundqvist and Price turn into brick walls in a low-scoring affair. Create a betting account now and get your fix of Original Six action.
