Canucks vs Rangers

Artemi Panarin leads a Rangers group trying to stop a 1-4 slide over their last five, while the Canucks come in just 2-3 over that same stretch and still reeling from the Quinn Hughes blockbuster and a broader skid that pushed them toward a soft rebuild. Current ESPN rosters confirm Vancouver’s blue line is now built around pieces like Filip Hronek and Zeev Buium rather than Hughes, and up front they’re down Elias Pettersson plus depth centers Teddy Blueger and Filip Chytil, leaving their center spine badly thinned against a New York lineup that, even without Adam Fox on LTIR and with Mika Zibanejad coming off a team-issue absence, still rolls out Panarin, Alexis Lafrenière and a capable goaltending tandem of Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick. Historically, Zibanejad and Panarin have produced well against Vancouver, and Quick already posted a 23-save 2-0 shutout in this matchup earlier this season, underscoring the gap between New York’s defensive structure and a Canucks offense that’s now missing its top play-driver. With both clubs still shy of the 41-game mark the playoff picture isn’t fully set, but every point matters, and a deeper, healthier Rangers side at home against a travel-weary, injury-hit Canucks roster makes laying -135 reasonable; I grade New York Rangers -135 on the moneyline a B, reflecting solid win probability with only middling monetary value at this price. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 16/12/2025 09:37am

Thatcher Demko versus the Shesterkin/Quick tandem sets up as a goaltending-driven night, and recent form for both teams leans to a tighter script: four of the Rangers’ last five have finished with five goals or fewer, and three of Vancouver’s last five have stayed under 5.5 as their attack has sagged without Elias Pettersson and after moving out Quinn Hughes, who was central to their transition and power play. The earlier meeting this season ended 2-0 to New York behind a Jonathan Quick shutout and a Canucks offense that struggled to generate clean looks, and with Adam Fox sidelined and Mika Zibanejad’s situation adding a bit of uncertainty, the Rangers are again likely to lean on structure, forecheck and disciplined neutral-zone play rather than an up-and-down track meet. Vancouver’s current roster still boasts shooters like Brock Boeser, but their weakened center depth and younger blue line on the road at MSG, combined with New York’s desire to clamp down after a rough stretch, point toward a methodical, whistle-heavy game that has a hard time reaching six total goals. With plus money on the Under and the key absences mostly downgrading offensive ceilings rather than goaltending, I like Under 5.5 at 105 and grade it a B+ thanks to a strong combination of likelihood and payout. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 16/12/2025 09:37am

Given the preference for the Rangers and a lean to a lower total, the puckline is naturally higher variance, but there’s still a path for New York to clear -1.5 at home against a depleted Vancouver side. Since the Hughes trade, the Canucks are leaning on a younger, less cohesive defense and, with Pettersson plus multiple centers out, have scored two or fewer in three of their last five, which is a dangerous profile when you’re walking into MSG against Panarin and a Rangers team that has already shut them out 2-0 once this season. Historical matchup data adds to the upside case: Mika Zibanejad and Panarin have both produced strongly against Vancouver over their careers, while Brock Boeser’s solid track record versus the Rangers may not be enough to offset the loss of Vancouver’s primary play-driver and first-line center. If Demko doesn’t absolutely steal it, a script where New York methodically pulls away 3-1 or 4-1—perhaps via a late empty-netter—feels very live, so I’m willing to sprinkle on New York Rangers -1.5 at 192 as a C+ pick: less likely to cash than the moneyline and a bit dependent on game state, but offering attractive upside if the Rangers’ top six finally finishes their chances. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 16/12/2025 09:37am