Chicago Blackhawks vs. New York Rangers Player Props, Picks and Predictions – Thursday, Jan. 04

We have your Chicago Blackhawks vs. New York Rangers prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Chicago Blackhawks hit the road to face the New York Rangers.

The New York Rangers (25-10-1) are set to host the Chicago Blackhawks (11-24-2) in a classic East vs. West showdown. As the Rangers aim to bounce back from a recent loss, the Blackhawks are looking to break a three-game skid, making this matchup a critical point for both teams’ seasons.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. New York Rangers Odds Info

Moneyline: Chicago Blackhawks +360 (DraftKings) / New York Rangers -400 (BetRivers)

Puck Line: -2.5 – Chicago Blackhawks -130 (PointsBet) / New York Rangers +110 (PointsBet)

Total: 6.0 – -105 (DraftKings) / -115 (Bet365)

Game Info

Date: Thursday, Jan. 04

Time: 07:00 PM

Location: Madison Square Garden – New York City, NY

TV: ESPN+

Chicago Blackhawks Betting Trends

• On the road this season, the Chicago Blackhawks have 4 wins and 16 losses.
• As the underdog this season, the Chicago Blackhawks have 11 wins and 25 losses.
• This season, the Chicago Blackhawks have hit 17 overs and 20 unders.

New York Rangers Betting Trends

• At home this season, the New York Rangers have 12 wins and 5 losses.
• As the favorite this season, the New York Rangers have 19 wins and 8 losses.
• This season, the New York Rangers have hit 18 overs and 18 unders.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the last three seasons, the New York Rangers and the Chicago Blackhawks have faced off four times, with the Rangers winning three of those encounters and the Blackhawks claiming victory once. The visiting team has had the upper hand in these matchups, securing three wins compared to just one for the home side. When it comes to betting, both teams have split the outcomes against the spread, with each team covering twice. In terms of totals betting, the ‘Over’ has been the more common result, hitting three times, while the ‘Under’ has only occurred once. The Rangers have shown a strong offensive presence in these games, outscoring the Blackhawks with a significant margin in their victories. The Blackhawks, on the other hand, have struggled to maintain consistency, with their sole win coming in a surprising upset as underdogs.

The most recent game between the two teams took place on December 18, 2022, where the New York Rangers dominated the Chicago Blackhawks with a resounding 7-1 victory. The Rangers’ offense was particularly impressive, with seven different players finding the back of the net. Filip Chytil, Artemi Panarin, Kaapo Kakko, Jacob Trouba, Vincent Trocheck, and Vitali Kravtsov all scored, with Chytil opening the scoring and Jonny Brodzinski adding to the tally in the third period. The Rangers were also efficient on special teams, boasting a power-play percentage of 100.0%. The Blackhawks’ lone goal came from Philipp Kurashev in the second period, but it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback. The Rangers’ goaltender, Igor Shesterkin, had a strong game, saving 29 out of 30 shots for a save percentage of 0.967, while the Blackhawks’ Arvid Soderblom struggled, saving only 19 out of 26 shots with a save percentage of 0.731. The Rangers were the favorites going into the game, and they comfortably covered the spread, contributing to their favorable record against the Blackhawks.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. New York Rangers Predictions

The Rangers, leading their division, have been a force to reckon with at home, boasting a 12-5-0 record at Madison Square Garden. With star winger Artemi Panarin leading the team in goals (23), assists (28), and points (51), the Rangers’ offense has been potent. However, they’re coming off a tough 6-1 loss to the Hurricanes and will be looking to tighten their defense, which has been resilient for the most part this season. The Blackhawks, on the other hand, are at the bottom of their division and have struggled on the road with a 4-15-1 record. Rookie sensation Connor Bedard has been a bright spot, leading the team with 15 goals and 33 points, but the team’s overall performance has been lacking consistency.

Defensively, the Rangers have been solid, ranking in the top half of the league, while the Blackhawks have found themselves near the bottom in defensive metrics. This game could hinge on the Rangers’ ability to shut down Bedard and the Blackhawks’ young guns. On the offensive side, the Rangers have multiple weapons, including Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, who have been key contributors. The Blackhawks will need a strong performance from goaltender Petr Mrazek, who has been confirmed to start, to keep the game within reach.

The key player matchup to watch will be between the Rangers’ top scorer Panarin and the Blackhawks’ Bedard. Both players have the ability to change the game with their offensive prowess, and their performance could very well decide the outcome. With the Rangers favored to win, the Blackhawks will need to leverage their youthful energy and Bedard’s scoring touch to pull off an upset. Meanwhile, the Rangers will look to capitalize on their home-ice advantage and rebound from their recent loss to maintain their strong position in the conference standings.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. New York Rangers Pick

The New York Rangers are the clear favorites in this matchup, and for good reason. With a strong 12-5-0 record at home and the offensive firepower of Artemi Panarin leading the way, the Rangers have the depth and skill to dominate the Blackhawks. Despite their recent loss, the Rangers have shown resilience and the ability to bounce back strongly, as evidenced by their solid win percentage and top division ranking. The Blackhawks, while having a promising talent in Connor Bedard, have struggled significantly on the road and have a defense that ranks near the bottom of the league, which the Rangers’ potent offense is well-equipped to exploit. Considering these factors, the smart money is on the Rangers to secure a win at Madison Square Garden.

Historically, the Rangers have had the upper hand in recent seasons against the Blackhawks, winning three out of their last four encounters. The last game was a decisive 7-1 victory for the Rangers, showcasing their ability to cover the spread comfortably. While the Blackhawks have the potential for an upset, the Rangers’ consistency and strong home record make them the safer bet. The Blackhawks’ road woes and defensive struggles are likely to continue against a Rangers team eager to maintain their strong conference position and recover from their loss to the Hurricanes. Therefore, the New York Rangers moneyline bet is the recommended pick for this game.

The Pick: New York Rangers -400. (BetRivers)

Chicago Blackhawks vs. New York Rangers Player Prop Picks

Here are the players who have hit over their current prop line in at least 7 of their last 10 games.

Chicago Blackhawks

New York Rangers