NHL odds, preview, prediction: Rangers vs. Blackhawks for Friday, Feb. 9

Rangers vs. Blackhawks Odds

Friday, Feb. 9, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Odds via bet365. Get up-to-the-minute NHL odds here.

New York Rangers

Goaltender Igor Shesterkin is slated to guard the cage for New York on Friday, and could be a good candidate to back. Yes, it has certainly been an uncharacteristically bumpy campaign for the typically tremendous netminder, but if there was ever a get-right game, it would be this matchup against the Hawks.

Through three career starts against them, Shesterkin is 3-0 with a commanding .946 SV% and 1.67 GAA. Despite his underwhelming play this season, the Rangers still rank in the top nine of the league in goals allowed per game, shots on goal allowed per game and penalty kill percentage.

These rankings are a testament to the tremendous defensive play of the group in front of him. At 5-on-5, New York ranks 11th in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).

However, this group has not been nearly as efficient offensively, ranking 21st in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5-on-5.

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Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago has a combination of terrible offensive play and stellar goaltending, which is a great recipe for the Under. Goaltender Petr Mrazek is slated to start between the pipes for the Hawks and looks to continue his terrific season.

Through 35 appearances in the crease, Mrazek boasts a .910 SV% and 2.89 GAA. He has allowed two or fewer goals in eight of his past nine starts, posting an outstanding .934 SV% and 1.91 GAA over that stretch.

There have been five or fewer total goals scored in eight of those nine outings. The other variable creating this trend is that aforementioned terrible offensive play.

This season, the Blackhawks rank last in the league in goals scored per game, power-play percentage, shooting percentage and faceoff percentage. Their underlying metrics are just as poor, ranking 31st in xGF/60 at 5-on-5.

Rangers vs. Blackhawks

Betting Pick & Prediction

Some of Chicago's trends at this stage of the season are borderline unbelievable. The Blackhawks have scored just 11 goals over the past 11 games and one or fewer goals in 11 of their past 16 games.

I am unable to discover whether or nor that is a scoring-drought record in the modern era of hockey, but it has to be up there. Combine this poor offensive play with Mrazek's stellar goaltending, then it should not be shocking that there have been five or fewer total goals scored in 11 of those 16 games.

With Shesterkin on the other side of the ice and New York's inefficient offensive play this season, I like this low-scoring trend to continue on Friday.

Pick: Under 5.5 (+105 at BetMGM | Play to +100)

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