Montréal Canadiens vs New York Rangers Picks and Predictions January 19th 2025

Montréal Canadiens vs New York Rangers January 19th 2025

Making on a bet on this NHL game featuring the Rangers versus the Canadiens? The puck drops at 7:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on NHLN. The game will be played at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC. The Rangers come into this Eastern conference matchup as the -1.5 goal favorite. The over/under line currently sits at 6 goals.

New York vs. Montreal Key Information

• Teams: Rangers at Canadiens
• Where: Bell Centre Montreal
• Date: Sunday, January 19th
• Betting Odds NYR -117 | MON -101 O/U 6

The Rangers Can Win If…

The Rangers moved above .500 with a 5-2 win over the Islanders, bringing their record to 22-20-3. As -1.5 goal favorites, the Rangers 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. Chris Kreider opened the scoring with a short-handed goal at 16:16 in the first period.

Artemi Panarin led the way for the Rangers with two goals in their 5-2 win over the Islanders, 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 for the first time this season.

Mika Zibanejad contributed with three assists, bringing his total to 8 for the season. The Rangers fired 40 shots on goal and scored once on the power play, with Kreider’s goal coming shorthanded.

Defensively, the Rangers gave up two goals, both in the second period, at 15:22 and 0:08. Igor Shesterkin made 35 saves with a 94.6% save percentage, helping secure the win. The Rangers’ defense also contributed 10 takeaways, 19 hits, and 18 blocks.

• The Rangers have posted a 2-1 record in their previous three games. This also includes going 2-1 puck line and an over-under mark of 1-2.
• Across New York’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 6-4. The team’s record vs the puck line was just 6-4, in addition to an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Canadiens Can Win If…

With a 3-1 loss to the Penguins, the Canadiens now sit at 22-19-4 for the season. Montreal entered as underdogs on the puck line, and the total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score reached only 4.

The Penguins scored the first two goals before Christian Dvorak got the Canadiens on the board in the third period. Pittsburgh sealed the win with an empty-net goal, handing Montreal a regulation loss.

Montreal managed just one goal in their 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh, with Christian Dvorak finding the net for the first time this season. Dvorak scored 5:32 into the third period, bringing his shot total to three in the game.

Emil Heineman picked up his first assist of the season, while Juraj Slafkovsky added his seventh. The Canadiens took 26 shots on goal but were held scoreless in the first two periods.

Defensively, the Canadiens allowed the first two goals of the game, one at 15:57 in the first period and another at 18:40 in the second. They also gave up an empty-netter at 19:15 in the third. Sam Montembeault made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage. Montreal’s defense added 4 takeaways and 28 hits.

• Over their last three games, the Canadiens have gone 2-1 straight up. Their strong play has also resulted in an puck line mark of 2-1 (last 3). They had an over/under mark of 2-1 in those same games.
• Montreal has put together a record of 7-3 in their last ten games (regular season). Against the spread, Montreal went 8-2 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 4-5-1.

The Lean

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Rangers to pick up on a win over the Canadiens and the road. With the moneyline sitting at -117, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Rangers straight-up.

If you’re looking for a puck line bet, I’d suggest going with the Canadiens to cover. Even in the event of a Rangers victory, this game is expected to be closely fought, and the Canadiens should cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

Rangers Look to Stay Hot Against Canadiens

The New York Rangers continue their resurgence as they visit the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday night. With points in seven consecutive games (5-0-2), the Rangers are steadily climbing the Eastern Conference standings and sit just three points out of a wild-card spot.

Meanwhile, the Canadiens, one point ahead of New York, will aim to recover quickly after a devastating collapse against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Rangers: Confidence Rebuilt

The Rangers’ season has taken a dramatic turn, moving from the conference basement to within striking distance of a playoff position. Their latest victory, a 1-0 shootout win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, showcased the return of their defensive discipline and clutch goaltending.

Igor Shesterkin was the star, making critical saves to keep the Blue Jackets off the board and securing the shootout victory. “Winning games, confidence is coming back,” said forward Vincent Trocheck. “Whenever you play smarter, better hockey, you feel more confident about your game.”

Adam Fox echoed the sentiment, praising the team’s perseverance during their tough stretch: “It would be easy for us to pack it in… but we know the kind of team we have.”

With their confidence restored, the Rangers are focusing on one game at a time, relying on balanced scoring and strong defensive play to fuel their resurgence.

Canadiens: Searching for Stability

Montreal is coming off a shocking 7-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, a game in which they squandered a 3-0 first-period lead. Despite entering the contest on an 11-2-1 run, the Canadiens faltered under Toronto’s relentless attack, surrendering seven unanswered goals.

Head coach Martin St. Louis expressed frustration but also highlighted missed opportunities: “We did plenty of things early in the second period to be up more than three. Unfortunately, we didn’t. You have to give them credit for that.”

Josh Anderson noted the silver lining: “The best thing about it is we play (Sunday) night.”

The Canadiens will look to rebound quickly, leaning on forward Patrik Laine, who has been in stellar form with 11 goals in just 17 games, including 10 on the power play.

Key Matchups

Igor Shesterkin vs. Canadiens’ Attack: Shesterkin’s ability to stymie opponents will be crucial against a Montreal team that thrives on high-danger opportunities.

Patrik Laine vs. Rangers’ Defense: Laine’s lethal power-play presence will challenge a Rangers penalty kill that must be sharp to neutralize his scoring threat.

Momentum Control: The Rangers have been dominant when playing with poise and structure, while the Canadiens must avoid another breakdown in the face of adversity.

What’s at Stake

Both teams are vying for crucial points in the tight Eastern Conference standings. For the Rangers, a win could extend their point streak and bring them closer to a playoff spot. For the Canadiens, bouncing back from their loss to Toronto is vital to maintaining their position in the playoff race.

Learn the Key Factors Influencing Each NHL Conference’s Outcome and Where the Betting Value Lies

Conclusion

As the Rangers look to continue their steady climb, the Canadiens aim to rebound and regain momentum. With high stakes and playoff implications, this matchup promises to be an intense battle. Will the Rangers’ resurgence roll on, or can the Canadiens reclaim their winning form? All eyes will be on this pivotal clash in Montreal.