New York Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 22nd 2024
Preview and Prediction
The New York Rangers have had a strong start to the season, largely due to their impressive performance on the road.
In an attempt to achieve their first four consecutive road wins in over 90 years, the Rangers will face off against the struggling Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night.
With a record of 4-0-1, the Rangers are off to their best start since the 2008-2009 season when they went 5-0-0. They are also the only team in the Eastern Conference that has yet to lose in regulation. Additionally, the Rangers have a perfect 3-0-0 record on the road, a feat they haven't accomplished since the 1931-1932 season when they won their first four away games.
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Mika Zibanejad, a veteran forward for the Rangers, spoke to the New York Post about the team's confidence and trust in each other. He believes that their strong work ethic and belief in their team will continue to drive their success.
After their 4-1 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, the Rangers have outscored their opponents 15-3 in their three road games this season.
Reilly Smith, who has recorded three assists in the young season, believes that the team is making progress in the right direction with each game. He also recognizes that their next game against Montreal will be a challenge, but they are determined to continue improving.
The Rangers have had a strong record against the Canadiens in recent years, with a 3-0-1 record since their last regulation loss in January 2023. Artemi Panarin, who has scored six goals this season, has been a key player in their success against Montreal with three goals and 15 assists in his last nine games against them.
Zibanejad has also been a standout player in their recent matchups, with five points in five games and three goals and three assists in his last two games against the Canadiens.
On the other hand, the Canadiens have struggled defensively this season, allowing 20 goals in their four losses. Despite their issues, young star Cole Caufield has been a bright spot for the team with six goals in six games. He scored two goals in their last game against the New York Islanders and has four goals and two assists in his last four games against the Rangers.
Caufield remains level-headed and focused on improving his team's overall performance, recognizing that there are areas that need work.
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The Canadiens have struggled in their 5-on-5 game, allowing all but four of their 20 non-shootout goals in those situations. However, their penalty kill has been strong, with opponents only scoring on two of 22 power play opportunities.
In goal, Montreal's Sam Montembeault had a strong start to the season with two wins and only one goal allowed, but has since given up eight goals in his last two games. His teammate Cayden Primeau has also struggled, allowing nine goals in his two starts this season.
On the other hand, the Rangers' Igor Shesterkin has been solid in net, stopping 116 of 124 shots and earning a shutout in his four games this season. Backup goalie Jonathan Quick also had a strong performance in their last game against the Detroit Red Wings, making 29 saves in a 5-2 victory.
It will be an exciting matchup between these two teams, and only time will tell if the Rangers can continue their hot start or if the Canadiens can turn things around and get back in the win column.
New York Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens
Mika Zibanejad scored the tying goal and Adam Fox the game-winner in a span of 75 seconds as the New York Rangers rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat the host Montreal Canadiens, 5-2, on Thursday night.
With the win, the Rangers extended their team-record road winning streak to nine games. The Rangers remained unbeaten on the road since Jan. 11 and kept the NHL's longest road winning streak going by scoring three times in a span of 4:17 in the third period.
Rangers coach David Quinn paired Artemi Panarin and Zibanejad on the top line for the third period and the move paid off.
Panarin left a drop pass for Zibanejad, whose wrist shot from the high slot sailed by Montreal goaltender Carey Price with 8:54 remaining. It was Zibanejad's 30th goal and his sixth straight game with a goal.
Fox put the Rangers in front when his wrist shot from above the right circle eluded Price, who was screened on the play by New York's Chris Kreider with 7:39 remaining.
Ryan Strome added insurance during a power play with 4:37 remaining by deflecting a shot by defenseman Tony DeAngelo. He also clinched the win with an empty net tally with 93 seconds left.
Phillip Di Giuseppe scored the first goal for the Rangers, who won their season-high fifth straight game and for the ninth time in 10 games. New York entered the game four points behind Columbus for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
New York goaltender Alexandar Georgiev made 32 saves.
Max Domi and Tomas Tatar scored for Montreal, which has allowed eight third-period goals in two home meetings against the Rangers this season. The Canadiens also took their 10th loss when leading after two periods and heard some boos from home fans after the final buzzer.
Price finished with 30 saves.
Domi made it 1-0 3:12 into the game when his centering pass intended for Tatar deflected off Fox's skate and trickled into the net.
The Canadiens went up 2-0 with 2:59 left in the second when Tatar faked twice before finishing off a breakaway with a backhander.
The Rangers got within 2-1 when Di Giuseppe put Fox's pass from behind the net over Price with 86 seconds to go in the second.