New York Rangers vs Chicago Blackhawks: The Blackhawks will beat the Rangers after Washington

The New York Rangers are having a back-to-back home run. Gerard Gallant's team finished the first part of the game well - with a 1-0 victory over San Jose. Will the Rangers be able to consolidate their success against Chicago? Let's choose a few options to bet on.

Should they beat Chicago, and with some other specific game-day results, the Rangers could catch up with Florida, which currently leads the Eastern Conference standings. Brilliant work of Gerrard Gallant, who was able to put his ideas into action quickly. The Rangers are playing like a true contender and, if they continue to progress at this pace, will be a real force in the playoffs.

The match against San Jose appeared to be very unusual for the NHL and ended with a soccer-like score of 1-0. The only goal was scored by Ryan Strome on the power play. Unfortunately, Igor Shesterkin didn't finish the game as another Russian, Alexandar Georgiev, took over for him in the third period. Shesterkin had 19 saves, while Georgiev had 9.

At the start of the road trip, the Blackhawks face the leaders of the Metropolitan division. Before the meeting with the New York Rangers, the Chicagoans visited Washington, where they managed to outplay the Capitals in a shootout. Chicago took the lead twice but had to come back as a result. Midway through the third period, defenseman Seth Jones made the final score 3-3, and in the shootout the decisive shot fell to Patrick Kane. 4-3, a great start to the road trip. 

• Rangers: Sammy Blais, Greg McKegg will not play.
• Chicago: Tyler Johnson, Ryan Stillman, Mackenzie Entwistle will not play. Calvin de Haan is questionable.

Chicago won 4 of the last 5 games at Madison Square Garden.

The Rangers have a back-to-back after a very viscous and energy-consuming matchup with San Jose. It is likely that Gerrard Gallant's team simply does not have enough strength for the meeting with Chicago. The Blackhawks are a very strong team with Kane, Toews, Fleury, Seth Jones and DeBrincat already a superstar next to Kane. Chicago hasn't started the season well and now needs the points. It looks like Derek King's team will beat the Rangers following Washington.

Prediction: Chicago will be closer to winning.

• Chicago Not To Lose for 1.76;
• Handicap Chicago (0) for 2.43;
• Chicago To Win By 1 Goal for 9.00.