Montreal Canadiens vs New York Rangers Prediction, 4/2/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs New York Rangers

Date: Thursday, April 2, 2026

Location: Madison Square Garden in New York, NY

TV: MSG Network

The Montreal Canadiens (43-21-10) are on their way to Madison Square Garden on Thursday where they will attempt to beat the New York Rangers (31-35-9).

The Montreal Canadiens went home feeling good about their game by earning a 4-1 win against the Lightning their last time on the ice. The Canadiens had a impressive offensive output in the win. In the game, they converted 4 of the 23 shots they launched. Additionally, they had 3 attempts on the power play and netted 1 goal. Montreal amassed 32 penalty minutes in this game.

Montreal Canadiens opponents have tallied 230 power play opportunities (5th in the NHL) and have a total of 53 goals in those chances. The Canadiens have had 2,059 shots tried against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .889. Montreal has taken 1,958 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 13.3%. At even strength, the Canadiens let the opposition score 176 goals while getting 208 of their own. Montreal has 211 power play chances and they have notched 52 goals out of those chances, giving them a rate of 24.64%. For the current campaign, they sit with 96 points and their points percentage comes in at .649. In regard to their goal scoring prowess, the Montreal Canadiens have racked up 260 goals (4th in the NHL) so far this year and have surrendered 229.

The man protecting the net in this game is Jacob Fowler. For his professional hockey career, Fowler has compiled 7 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .500. His save percentage currently sits at .903 in his 35 minutes on the ice. Fowler has seen 372 shots against him and has accrued 336 total saves. Opponents have racked up 36 goals against Fowler in his NHL career and his goals against rate is 2.57. He has a win-loss mark of 7-5-2 and he started in 14 games. Fowler has been involved in 14 games over the course of his hockey career.

The last time they were on the ice, New York squared up with the Devils in a matchup where the Rangers notched a win by a mark of 4-1. The Rangers recorded 4 goals out of the 22 shots on goal they tried. They had 3 power play opportunities in this contest and notched 1 out of those chances.

New York has taken 1,898 shots (27th in the NHL) and has a shooting percentage of 11.17%, while allowing their opponents 2,191 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 78.51% on the other teams 228 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage is 89.4%. They have recorded 192 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play percentage of 24.48%. The Rangers have earned 165 goals at even strength and 47 goals (16th in professional hockey) while on the power play. They have granted a total of 232 goals to be scored by of a combination of 183 goals at even strength and 49 goals while they were shorthanded. This season, the New York Rangers have a total of 212 goals, 71 points, as well as a points percentage of .473.

For the opposition you will find Igor Shesterkin in goal. Teams are averaging 2.49 goals per game and he has relinquished 787 goals altogether. Shesterkin's quality start rate sits at 63.0% and he has 199 quality starts in his pro career. He has made the start in 316 contests and has played for a total of 14,638 minutes. Shesterkin holds a career mark of 186-104-28 and has been in goal for 321 contests. He has accrued 8,657 stops out of the 9,444 shots attempted, which gives him a save percentage of .917.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Montreal

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