7:00 PM ET | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
The New York Rangers return to Madison Square Garden tonight for a cross-conference clash with the Vancouver Canucks, aiming to bounce back from a disappointing 4-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Monday night. That defeat capped a tough stretch at home for the Blueshirts, who have struggled mightily in their own building this season, posting a dismal 4-8-3 record at MSG.Despite the home woes, the Rangers sit at 16-14-4 overall, good for seventh in the Metropolitan Division with 36 points. They showed resilience in their most recent win—a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory over the Montreal Canadiens on December 14—where captain J.T. Miller scored twice, including the game-winner on the power play. Artemi Panarin continues to lead the offense with his playmaking prowess, while Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafrenière provide secondary scoring punch.However, the Rangers are dealing with key absences. Star defenseman Adam Fox remains sidelined, impacting the power play and transition game significantly. The team will need strong goaltending from Igor Shesterkin or Jonathan Quick to contain Vancouver’s attack.On the other side, the Canucks limp into New York with a 12-17-3 record, sitting last in the Pacific Division with just 27 points. They’ve won only three of their last 10 games and are coming off a rough season overall, ranking near the bottom of the league in both scoring (27th) and goals against (30th). A bright spot earlier this year was a 2-0 loss to these same Rangers back on October 28, but Vancouver has struggled for consistency since.Injury news hits the Canucks hard: Star forward Elias Pettersson is out, robbing them of a major offensive threat. Brock Boeser is expected to play despite limited practice reps due to an undisclosed issue.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Panarin vs. Canucks’ Defense: With Pettersson out, New York’s top line could exploit Vancouver’s weak defensive structure.
- Special Teams Battle: The Rangers’ power play (around 20%) faces a Canucks penalty kill that’s among the league’s worst (72.4%). Vancouver will need to stay disciplined.
- Goaltending Duel: Expect Thatcher Demko or Kevin Lankinen for Vancouver against Shesterkin/Quick. Edge to New York here.
Betting Odds (as of December 16)
- Moneyline: Rangers -131 favorites | Canucks +110 underdogs
- Puck Line: Rangers -1.5
- Over/Under: 5.5 goals
The earlier meeting was a low-scoring affair (2-0 Rangers), but both teams have trended toward higher totals lately. Look for the over if special teams get involved. Prediction: The Rangers are desperate for a home win and face a depleted Canucks squad missing its best player. Expect New York to control possession and capitalize on Vancouver’s road struggles. Rangers win 4-2, building momentum heading into the holiday stretch. LETS GO RANGERS!
Subscribe to our newsletter!
Products
