New York Rangers vs Vancouver Canucks: high-quality defense to secure a win for the Rangers

The Rangers lost to Pittsburgh 0-1 and will now take on Vancouver at Madison Square Garden. The Canucks defeated Calgary in their last game and would surely like to play a similarly brilliant game in New York. 

The Rangers are focused on defense now

Gerard Gallant's team is undoubtedly preparing for the playoffs that way. Defense wins titles, and Gallant, a world champion at the helm of Canada and a Stanley Cup finalist with Vegas, certainly understands that. The Rangers' defense, combined with one of the best goaltenders in the NHL today, Igor Shesterkin, is a formidable force right now.

Pittsburgh's game-winning puck was only the third missed by the Rangers in three games. In five, it was their sixth. If the Rangers keep this up, they could make big gains in Gallant's first season.

In the meantime, Vancouver unpacked their offense

And they did so in a home game against Calgary, a team that had won 11 straight games before facing the Canucks while scoring more than four pucks per game. But Vancouver scored as many as seven pucks against the Flames, conceded one and won in a blowout, 7-1. Hardly anyone, including the Flames themselves, could have expected such a development in this game. Bruce Boudreau's Vancouver showed that they were ready to fight for a playoff spot this season. Still, the Canucks are lacking in terms of playmaking ability.  

Injured reserve

• Rangers: Samuel Blais, Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil will not play. Patrik Nemeth is questionable;
• Vancouver: Kyle Burroughs, Tucker Poolman, Brandon Sutter, Micheal Ferland will not play.

Head-to-head encounters

The rivals met in October this season. The match in Vancouver ended with the victory of the hosts in overtime, 3-2.

Expert Betting Tips

The Rangers have hardly conceded lately and it is unlikely that something will change in the game against Vancouver. After seven goals against Calgary in New York, the New York Islanders might not score anything at all. Well, should Georgiev be the Rangers' goaltender instead of Shesterkin, the Canucks would have a chance to score a goal or two. However, it is unlikely to help Vancouver win.

Prediction: high-quality defense will once again secure a win for the Rangers.

Betting options

• 1X+TU (7.5) for 1.85;
• W1+TU (5.5) for 4.00;
• Correct Score 3-2 for 9.00.