Home ice hasn’t meant much in the series between the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Rangers. The road team has won three of the five games in the series after the Rangers’ clutch overtime win in Game 5 in Montreal and now get the chance to close out the series on their home ice. This has been a hard fought series with the Rangers tallying just one more goal than the Canadiens and no game has been decided by more than two goals.
Don’t miss the action on the ice from Madison Square Garden in Manhattan at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 22, 2017. Catch every moment of the game live on NBC. We will have NHL playoff hockey odds at BookMaker.eu for every postseason game.
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Under has been a solid bet so far in the series with a record of 3-1-1 thanks to the work of two excellent goaltenders. Even though the total has been set at 5, both Carey Price and Henrik Lundqvist have been solid enough that the under keeps cashing.
As for the sides, the Rangers have been the better team to bet on because they were the underdogs heading into the series. They were -105 and -108 favorites in their two previous home games so expect something similar in this game.
Key Stat
It’s pretty impressive that the New York Rangers have been getting it done even though they have yet to strike gold on the power play. The Rangers have failed to convert any of their 13 power play chances thus far these playoffs, but that hasn’t stopped them from winning games. Additionally, they have been outshot by the Habs in every game but one, but that hasn’t stopped them from winning games.
The Canadiens have had more opportunities on the power play and are converting at about the same level they were during the regular season. Montreal has scored on three of its 17 power play chances this postseason, including twice in Game 3, but is down in this series because of the play of one man.
Player to Watch
This is the Henrik Lundqvist we are used to seeing. Lundqvist may have had his share of struggles in the regular season, but has really stepped up his game in this series.
Through five games, he has stopped 164 of 175 shots for a.937 save percentage and almost led the Rangers to a victory in Game 3. There he saw a 58-shot barrage on his net, but he still forced overtime.
With Montreal’s postseason on the line, the Canadiens are going to hound him with vigor in Game 6 and it will be up to him to stand tall. He has yet to have a bad game in the series and is rewarding the patience of the coaching staff for sticking through him no matter what this season.
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Montreal has not gotten much production out of Max Pacioretty this postseason. Pacioretty was the team’s sniper during the regular season with 35 goals, but has been silent in five games against the Rangers. He has tallied just one assist this series and is goalless in 24 shots on net. It goes without saying that Montreal is hoping he finds that scoring touch again in MSG.
It's once again been a group effort for the Rangers. New York has not relied on one single scorer all season long and is finding production from all of its lines. Although they aren’t finding the back of the net often, they are succeeding on enough chances to win with Lundqvist playing like he is.
That being said, Lundqvist is due for a bad night. He has been spectacular in this series so far, but Montreal will come out guns blazing facing elimination and get the win in Game 6.
NHL Playoff Odds: Canadiens 4, Rangers 2
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