New York Rangers vs Montréal Canadiens Picks and Predictions November 30th 2024

New York Rangers vs Montréal Canadiens November 30th 2024

Betting on today’s Canadiens and Rangers game? Catch the action at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY, as the Rangers hosts this showdown at 1:00 ET on NHLN. This Eastern conference matchup has an over/under of 6.5 goals, and the Rangers are favored by -1.5 goals vs. the Canadiens.

Montreal vs. New York Key Information

• Teams: Canadiens at Rangers
• Where: Madison Square Garden New York
• Date: Saturday, November 30th
• Betting Odds NYR -205 | MON +172 O/U 6.5

The Canadiens Can Win If…

Following a 3-1 loss to the Penguins, the Canadiens now sit at 8-11-3 for the season. Montreal entered the game as underdogs on the puck line, with the total set at 6.5 goals. The combined 4 goals fell short of that mark.

The Canadiens didn’t score until the third period, when Christian Dvorak found the net at 14:28. Pittsburgh had already scored twice by then, adding an empty-netter later to seal the win.

Montreal’s offense struggled in their 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh, with Christian Dvorak’s third-period goal being his first of the season. The Canadiens fired 26 shots on goal but failed to score until 14:28 into the third period.

Juraj Slafkovsky picked up his 7th assist on Dvorak’s goal, while Emil Heineman notched his first assist of the season. The Canadiens turned the puck over 20 times.

Montreal’s defense gave up the first two goals of the game, the first coming at 15:57 of the 1st period and the second at 18:40 of the 2nd. They also allowed an empty-netter with 45 seconds left in the 3rd. Goalie Sam Montembeault made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage. The Canadiens’ defense finished with 4 takeaways and 28 hits.

• Over their last three regular season games, the Canadiens have gone 1-2 straight up. Across this span, their puck line record sits at 2-1 to go along with an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Across Montreal’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 4-6. Their record vs the puck line sits at 6-4 in these matchups, while posting a 4-6 over-under mark.

The Rangers Can Win If…

The Rangers picked up a 5-2 road win over the Islanders, moving to 12-9-1 on the season. As -1.5 goal favorites, New York covered the puck line, and the total of 7 goals surpassed the pre-game line of 6.

Four different players scored for the Rangers, with Artemi Panarin leading the way with two goals. The Rangers held a 2-0 lead before the Islanders got on the board in the second period.

Artemi Panarin led the way for the Rangers with two goals, including his 9th of the season on an empty net. He previously scored his 8th goal on a power play in the second period. Vincent Trocheck added his 4th goal, while Chris Kreider opened the scoring with his 8th, coming shorthanded. Adam Edstrom also found the net, marking his first goal of the season.

Mika Zibanejad contributed with three assists, bringing his total to 8 for the season. The Rangers fired 40 shots on goal and scored twice in the third period, with Edstrom’s goal coming 5:18 into the period.

Defensively, the Rangers will look to build off their last game, where they allowed just two goals to the Islanders. Igor Shesterkin recorded 35 saves with a 94.6% save percentage. The Rangers’ defense also finished with 10 takeaways, 19 hits, and 18 blocks.

• Across New York’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 0-3. Their record vs the puck line sits at 1-2 in these matchups, while posting a 2-1 over-under mark.
• New York has put together a record of 4-6 in their last ten games (regular season). Against the spread, New York went 3-7 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Lean

To those searching for a pure moneyline wager, the Rangers is the clear pick. Still, with a payout of -205, it’s worth thinking about including this bet in a parlay.

If you’re looking for my recommendation on the puck line, I suggest taking the Canadiens to cover. Even if the Rangers manage to win outright, this game is expected to remain competitive, and the Canadiens should cover the puck line.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 6.5 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

NHL Picks & Predictions from The Best Expert Hockey Handicappers

Rangers, Canadiens Clash After Line Shakeups Amid Season Struggles

The New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens will meet Saturday afternoon in what promises to be a critical clash for both teams. Each side enters the game following lineup shakeups and inconsistent performances, eager to reset their trajectories. For the Rangers, it’s an opportunity to snap a frustrating losing streak, while the Canadiens look to build on recent improvements.

Rangers Face Mounting Pressure After Five-Game Skid

The Rangers are in the midst of their first five-game losing streak since 2021, a stretch where they’ve been outscored 21-10. Returning home for five games after a grueling road-heavy schedule, they’ll aim to rediscover their winning form. Their struggles mirror past issues from their last skid, which prompted organizational changes in management and coaching.

Recent Game Woes

• In a 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday, the Rangers fell behind early, conceding two goals within the first five minutes. By the end of the first period, they were outshot 15-4, highlighting a slow start that has become a recurring issue.
• Despite a second-period goal by Vincent Trocheck, the Rangers couldn’t mount a comeback and were ultimately outshot 35-23.

Lineup Overhaul

Coach Peter Laviolette, frustrated with his team’s lack of energy, made sweeping in-game changes:

• Forwards: Artemi Panarin was paired with Mika Zibanejad and rookie Will Cuylle, while Brett Berard joined Alexis Lafreniere and Trocheck.
• Defense: Captain Jacob Trouba moved to the third pairing with Zac Jones, while Braden Schneider was matched with K’Andre Miller.

“We left the game in the first period,” Laviolette said postgame. “That can’t happen. For a team that’s looking for ways to win hockey games, just the work in the first period wasn’t good.”

Key Absence

The Rangers are also feeling the impact of Chris Kreider’s absence, as the veteran forward missed his third straight game with back spasms. His return timeline remains uncertain, leaving a void in leadership and offensive firepower.

Canadiens Show Resilience Amid Growing Pains

While the Canadiens have faced their own struggles this season, they’ve demonstrated resilience in recent games. After enduring a six-game losing streak in October, Montreal has rebounded with a 4-2-1 record over their past seven contests.

Improved Performance

Montreal’s offense has sparked to life, scoring 23 goals in their last seven games. A highlight came Wednesday, when Nick Suzuki scored just 44 seconds into overtime to lift the Canadiens to a 4-3 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“We’re just driving for consistency,” said forward Brendan Gallagher. “We drop the puck next game, and we’ve got to try and continue to put these points together.”

Challenges Remain

Despite their recent success, the Canadiens are averaging just 21.4 shots per game over their last seven contests. Juraj Slafkovsky’s demotion to the fourth line reflects coach Martin St. Louis’s push for accountability, even as the team sees steady contributions from its young roster.

Head-to-Head Outlook

Saturday’s matchup marks the second meeting this season between the two teams. The Rangers dominated the first game, earning a convincing 7-2 victory in Montreal on Oct. 22. However, New York has since faltered, going 7-9-0 in the weeks that followed.

Montreal, meanwhile, will look to reverse a troubling trend against the Rangers, having allowed 19 goals in their last three meetings. Improved defensive play and goaltending will be key if they hope to avoid another lopsided defeat.

What’s at Stake

For the Rangers, this game represents a critical chance to reset and avoid extending their losing streak to six games, a low they haven’t hit since 2019. Home ice and Laviolette’s adjustments will be tested as the team looks for a much-needed spark.

The Canadiens, on the other hand, are climbing back into form and will aim to capitalize on the Rangers’ struggles. A victory could solidify their recent progress and reinforce the belief in their young core.

Final Thoughts

This high-stakes clash pits a Rangers team desperate to regain confidence against a Canadiens squad eager to sustain their momentum. Both teams have shown flashes of potential this season but must address lingering inconsistencies to achieve their goals. As the puck drops, all eyes will be on whether Laviolette’s adjustments or Montreal’s resilience will define the outcome.