Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Rangers vs Blackhawks Lines
Looking for New York Rangers vs. Chicago Blackhawks free hockey plays? NHL betting sees the Rangers taking on the Blackhawks on Friday December 9th at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions.
(17-9-1) New York Rangers vs. Chicago Blackhawks (17-8-3)
Date: Friday, December 9th
Time: 7:00 PM
Venue: United Center in Chicago, Illinois
NHL Hockey Moneyline Odds: Chicago -125
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds: Chicago -1.5
NHL Betting Total: 5
Live NHL Odds
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The New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks square off in the first of two meetings over the next five days.
With both teams suffering key injuries, role players will have to step up to give each team a solid shot at winning this game.
New York Rangers
Sitting at 2nd in the Metropolitan Division, the Rangers have shown signs of slowing down after a hot start to the season. They’ve only managed four wins in their last ten games and are dealing with losses to their important second line.
Rick Nash is out for the next week with a groin injury and his line mate Jimmy Vesey is day-to-day with an upper body injury. It will be a game time decision for Vesey, who has been wonderful so far this season, netting nine goals along with seven assists.
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The scoring has been the strong point for the Rangers through a quarter of the season. The team sits first in the league in goals for (97) and is also a respectable 11th in goals against (69).
Starting goaltender Henrik Lundqvist should be back in the lineup Friday after getting a game of rest on Thursday night. His play has been good enough for a 12-8-1 record and a 2.55 GAA, right around the league average.
The loss of the second line nucleus means that the top line of Kreider, Stupan, and Zuccarello has to carry even more of the burden. Luckily, the trio has been wonderful this year, combining for 52 points including 18 goals.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks enter Friday night after a resounding 4-0 victory over the Arizona Coyotes.
Sitting atop the Central Division, the Hawks have had a better start to the year than their previous one. After sorting out some early season penalty kill unit issues, the team has been top 10 all around. They sit 5th in goals for and 8th in goals against in the NHL.
Marian Hossa has had a banner year, already surpassing his goal total for the 2015-2016 season with 14 goals. Add on his six assists and that’s good enough for fourth in points on his team.
The loss of Jonathan Toews to the injured reserve list last month has led to some adjustment pains for this Chicago team. With only two regulation wins since Toews’ last appearance, the offense has faltered slightly.
The injured reserve list has also claimed starting netminder Corey Crawford, who is out for the next couple of weeks after having his appendix removed. This makes way for Scott Darling, who has had a great season as Crawford’s backup, recording a 5-2-1 start and a shutout against Arizona.
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Despite the key injuries, the Hawks will look to their points leaders Kane, Hossa, Artem Anisimov, and Artemi Panarin to overwhelm the Rangers.
NHL Betting Trends:
- Blackhawks are 11-4-2 when scoring first
- Blackhawks are 11-2-2 at home
Free New York Rangers vs. Chicago Blackhawks NHL Hockey Prediction:
The key injuries to the Blackhawks may look bad, but it’s the Rangers that need to worry about their injuries. With the second line highly affected, the Blackhawks own second line should take advantage.
The Blackhawks should win this game in regulation.
4* Free NHL Betting Pick: Over 5
Both teams are top 5 in goals scored. This has all the makings of a high scoring game.
NHL Free Score Prediction: New York 3 – Chicago 5
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