An Original Six showdown between the New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens highlights Sunday’s small NHL slate.
The pregame narrative: Cole Caufield is coming off a ridiculous shooting performance and I expect him to keep that energy up on Sunday. Additionally, I’m taking the over on Mike Matheson’s shot total while fading Chris Kreider’s points prop.
Check out my Rangers vs. Canadiens prop picks for Jan. 19.
Rangers vs. Canadiens prop picks
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Best Bet: Caufield over 3.5 shots on goal (+130)
Caufield didn’t score a goal in Montreal’s 7-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying.
The Canadiens winger totaled 10 shots in the losing effort. It was the first double-digit shot effort of his career and tied for the seventh-most shots in a single game this season.
Sunday’s matchup presents another excellent opportunity for Caufield to rack up the shots.
The Habs battle a New York team struggling to keep opposing teams’ shot totals down. The Rangers are allowing the third-most shots against per game (31.1) this campaign.
The plus-money odds attached to this wager are what pique my interest. Caufield has cashed this prop in five of his last 10 outings, giving us a little value with the over.
Expect him to pepper the Rangers, who are playing their second game in as many nights.
Key stat: Caufield is averaging 4.5 shots per game across eight games in January.
Quick pick
Matheson over 2.5 shots (+150): Again, the plus-money odds have me eyeing another Canadiens shot prop.
Matheson isn’t afraid to let it fly from the point. He’s 35th among blueliners in shots (85) and third among all Montreal skaters.
His most recent effort against New York demonstrates how this is a solid matchup. The two-way defenceman recorded four shots in a win on November 30.
Matheson is averaging 2.6 shots per game in January. He’s worth backing against New York’s leaky defence at this price.
Kreider to not score 1+ points (-114): Kreider is heating up but there’s good reason to fade him.
The winger has four points in his last six games, but his season-long totals show there’s reason to bet against him.
Kreider has 16 points — 14 goals — across 37 games.
He has failed to register a point in 23 games this campaign, cashing this wager in 62% of his outings. That’s significantly higher than the 53.27% implied odds suggest.
The Canadiens have been a difficult matchup for Kreider this year. He has zero points in two contests against them this season.
Picks made at 12:22 p.m. ET on 01/19/2025.
Stevie’s an avid NFL, NHL, and tennis bettor who has no problem talking himself into the underdog. His previous stops include Yahoo! Sports Canada and Toronto Metropolitan University, where he received a degree in Sport Media.