Chicago Blackhawks vs New York Rangers Picks and Predictions January 5th 2025

Chicago Blackhawks vs New York Rangers January 5th 2025

Betting on today’s Rangers and Blackhawks game? Catch the action at United Center in Chicago, IL, as the Blackhawks hosts this showdown at 3:00 ET on ABC. The Rangers are favored by -1.5 goals in this non-conference showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 6 goals.

New York vs. Chicago Key Information

• Teams: Rangers at Blackhawks
• Where: United Center Chicago
• Date: Sunday, January 5th
• Betting Odds NYR -146 | CHI +125 O/U 6

The Rangers Can Win If…

The Rangers moved closer to .500 with a 5-2 win over the Islanders, bringing their record to 17-20-1. As -1.5 goal favorites, the Rangers covered the puck line, and the total of 7 goals exceeded the pre-game line of 6.

Four different players contributed to the Rangers’ scoring, with Artemi Panarin leading the way with two goals. Chris Kreider got things started at 16:16 in the first period, and the Rangers never trailed in the game.

Artemi Panarin led the way for the Rangers with two goals, including his 9th of the season on an empty net. Chris Kreider opened the scoring with his 8th goal, while Vincent Trocheck added his 4th. Adam Edstrom also found the net, scoring his first goal of the season.

Mika Zibanejad contributed with three assists, bringing his total to 8 on the year. The Rangers fired 40 shots on goal and scored once on the power play. They also netted a shorthanded goal, courtesy of Kreider.

Defensively, the Rangers will look to build off their last performance, where they allowed just 2 goals to the Islanders. Igor Shesterkin made 35 saves, finishing with a 94.6% save percentage. The Rangers’ defense also tallied 10 takeaways, 19 hits, and 18 blocks.

• Over their last three regular season games, the Rangers have gone 1-2 straight up. In these contests, the team went just 0-3 against the spread, while going 2-1 on the over-under.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, New York has a record of 2-8. Across these games, their puck line record was just 1-9, while posting an over-under record of 4-6.

The Blackhawks Can Win If…

Chicago improved to 13-24-2 with a 4-2 road win over the Ducks. Entering as underdogs on the puck line, the Blackhawks covered with the victory in regulation. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined 6 goals fell just short.

Four different players scored for Chicago, who jumped out to a 3-0 lead before the Ducks got on the board. Ryan Donato’s goal at 17:43 in the third period extended the lead to 4-1, before Anaheim scored again with just four seconds left.

Chicago’s offense netted four goals in their latest game, with Ryan Donato scoring his 7th of the season. Seth Jones added his 2nd goal, while Teuvo Teravainen found the net for the 4th time this year. Isaak Phillips also contributed with his 1st goal of the season.

The Blackhawks took 29 shots on goal and scored twice on power plays. Connor Bedard picked up two assists, bringing his season total to 9. Taylor Hall also added an assist, now with 4 on the year.

On defense, the Blackhawks will look to carry over their performance from their last game, where they gave up just 2 goals to the Ducks. Arvid Söderblom made 38 saves, finishing with a 95% save percentage. The Blackhawks also recorded 6 takeaways and 5 hits. Both goals they allowed came in the 3rd period, including one with just 4 seconds remaining.

• The Blackhawks have gone 1-2 over their last three regular season games. In these contests, the team went just 1-2 against the spread, while going 1-0-2 on the over-under.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Blackhawks have gone 4-6 straight up. This includes going 5-5 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 5-3-2.

The Lean

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Blackhawks to pick up on a win over the Rangers at home. With the moneyline sitting at +125, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Blackhawks straight-up.

Our projections have the Blackhawks pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Blackhawks, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to cover the puck line.

With an over/under line sitting at 6 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

Struggling Rangers Seek Turnaround Against Blackhawks

The New York Rangers, battling through a tough stretch of five losses in their past six games, are searching for answers as they head into a Sunday afternoon matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks. Despite their struggles, the Rangers are maintaining a positive outlook, focusing on their next opportunity to reset and collect two critical points.

Rangers Lean on Optimism Amid Adversity

The reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners have faced a challenging season, falling to a 17-20-1 record after a deflating 7-4 loss to the Washington Capitals on Saturday. The game showcased flashes of promise—such as Mika Zibanejad’s goal late in the third period to pull within one—but ultimately, New York’s defensive lapses allowed Washington to capitalize with two late goals.

Zibanejad, a cornerstone of the Rangers’ lineup, has embraced a determined mindset, emphasizing the need to stay focused on the future. He highlighted the importance of resilience, stating that the team must view each game as a new opportunity rather than dwelling on past disappointments. Interim coach Peter Laviolette supported this sentiment, pointing out that while the results have been discouraging, the team’s effort and commitment to improvement remain steadfast.

Blackhawks Eye Momentum After Breaking Slump

While the Blackhawks have also faced their share of struggles, they’re riding a wave of optimism following a 4-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Friday. The win snapped a five-game losing streak and showcased Nick Foligno’s leadership as he delivered two critical goals. For Foligno, this performance was a step toward restoring pride in the Blackhawks’ play, a message he emphasized when reflecting on the importance of maintaining momentum and building on recent success.

Connor Bedard, Chicago’s electrifying young star and the 2023 top overall draft pick, continues to dazzle with his exceptional playmaking abilities. With an assist against Montreal, he extended his point streak to six games, bringing his career total to 95 points in just 107 games. Bedard’s contributions offer a bright spot for a team eager to rebuild and establish a new foundation for long-term success.

Head-to-Head History and Implications

Sunday’s game marks the second meeting between the Rangers and Blackhawks this season. Chicago narrowly edged out New York in their first matchup on December 9 with a 2-1 victory. However, the Rangers have historically dominated the series, winning seven of the past nine games against the Blackhawks. This history gives New York a reason for optimism as they aim to turn their season around, though they will need to execute effectively to counter Chicago’s recent resurgence.

Who Will Dominate the Metropolitan Division?

Pivotal Game for Both Teams

For the Rangers, this matchup is more than an opportunity to rebound; it is a critical chance to rediscover their confidence and prove they can weather the challenges of a tumultuous season. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, will look to capitalize on their home-ice advantage and extend the positive momentum generated by Friday’s win.

Both teams are desperate for success, making this clash at the United Center an intense and highly anticipated affair. The outcome will hinge on which team can seize control of the game and make the most of their chances. With everything on the line, this game has the potential to be a defining moment for both franchises as they strive to steer their seasons back on course.