The New York Rangers (30-24-4) visit the Chicago Blackhawks (26-25-8) for an interconference tussle at United Center. Puck drop will be shortly after 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the Rangers-Blackhawks odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.
Rangers at Blackhawks: Projected starting goalies
Henrik Lundqvist vs. Corey Crawford
Lundqvist is projected to make his first start since Feb. 3. With the emergence of Igor Shesterkin, the 37-year-old Lundqvist has been the odd man out in a three-headed rotation in front of the Ranger twine. Shesterkin is a possibility for this one; he’s been day-to-day with an ankle injury and has missed the Blueshirts’ last three games. Lundqvist has posted a 3.12 goals against average and .907 save percentage through 25 starts and three relief appearances. He has logged a mere .879 SV% over his last five games.
Crawford heads into Wednesday’s tilt with a hot hand. The veteran netminder owns a robust .931 SV% over his last seven games, but he has gone just 3-3-1 over that time. For the season, Crawford owns a .912 SV% and 2.89 GAA. He stopped 18-of-19 shots in a turn against the Rangers last season.
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Rangers at Blackhawks: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 9:45 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Chicago 4, New York 2
Moneyline (ML)
Recent win-loss records spell good things for New York (4-1 over its last five games) and disaster for Chicago (1-4-2 since Feb. 4). In both cases, puck-possession analytics lean toward regression. The ‘Hawks are opening a two-game homestand after a five-game road trip. In home games after multi-game road trips, Chicago is 5-1-2 this season.
The lean is there, and the price is right: CHICAGO (-134) is a solid play.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
On the road, the Rangers are 18-9 against the puck line, but the BLACKHAWKS (-1.5, +200) are an intriguing pick. Both teams last played Sunday, and the Blackhawks have enjoyed tremendous success on two days of rest. The ‘Hawks are 8-2-1 overall in such games and 8-3 against the puck line. Chicago’s power play continues to be dreadful, as the Blackhawks haven’t scored an extra-man goal since Feb. 5, and they rank last in the NHL with a 14% success rate in such situations.
PASS on the puck line in this one, but the price is attractive. A shift to +210 unleashes a play.
Over/Under (O/U)
Over and Under trends for both sides are mixed. The scoring has more gray area than the average game. PASS on the Over 5.5 (-154)/Under 5.5 (+125).
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