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New York Rangers vs Montréal Canadiens Game Preview – October 18, 2025
The New York Rangers head north to face a red-hot Montréal Canadiens squad at the Bell Centre on Saturday night. The puck drops at 7:00 PM ET, with coverage on ESPN+. Montréal has surged to a 4–1–0 record, riding a four-game winning streak powered by timely scoring and elite goaltending. The Rangers, on the other hand, have struggled to finish their chances, managing only a single goal in their past three games despite high shot totals.
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Game Overview
This matchup pits two teams at opposite ends of momentum. The Canadiens have won three straight one-goal games, showing poise under pressure, while the Rangers are battling frustration from a cold offensive stretch. Montréal’s resilience has been the story of their season so far — three goals within the final three minutes of regulation in recent games speak volumes about their late-game composure.
Cole Caufield has emerged as the early-season star, scoring in three straight games and reaching five goals in five contests. His clutch play, including two overtime winners, has been essential in Montréal’s rise. Even more encouraging is the fact that the team’s veteran scorers — Nick Suzuki, Brendan Gallagher, Josh Anderson, and Patrik Laine — have yet to find the back of the net. Once they do, this Canadiens offense could reach another level entirely.
Defensively, Montréal has found a balance between youthful energy and responsible structure under coach Martin St. Louis. Kaiden Guhle continues to anchor the blue line, and the team’s puck movement has improved significantly from last season. The Habs currently rank among the top five in the NHL in goals scored and have shown consistent scoring depth across four lines.
The Rangers (2–4–1) are a different story. After back-to-back blowouts to open the season (10 combined goals vs. Buffalo and Pittsburgh), they’ve gone flat, scoring just one goal in three straight losses. Despite firing 94 shots on goal across those games, they’ve been unable to convert quality chances.
Adam Fox has been their lone bright spot, leading the team with three goals and one assist, while Igor Shesterkin continues to provide stability in net with a .917 save percentage. However, the lack of chemistry between Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin — one combined goal on 37 shots — is a major concern. Coach Mike Sullivan shuffled his top lines in practice, moving Will Cuylle alongside the struggling duo to spark production.
The Rangers still rank second in total hits (150) and first in shots on goal (182), which suggests effort isn’t the problem — finishing is. If they can convert early, they could regain confidence and turn the tide.
Injury Reports
| Team | Player | Status | Injury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rangers | Vincent Trocheck (C) | Out | Upper Body |
| Carson Soucy (D) | Out | Upper Body | |
| Canadiens | David Reinbacher (D) | Out | Hand |
| William Trudeau (D) | Out | Undisclosed |
Betting Information
- Moneyline: Rangers -104 | Canadiens -114
- Puck Line: Rangers -1.5 (-265) | Canadiens +1.5 (+210)
- Total: 5.5 (Over -130 / Under +110)
Montreal has won four straight, including two overtime victories at home, and remains undefeated at Bell Centre this season. The Rangers are trending the opposite way, with a three-game losing streak and no multi-goal games since October 8.
Both teams are expected to start their No. 1 goalies — Igor Shesterkin for New York and Samuel Montembeault for Montréal. The key will be whether the Rangers’ shooters can finally capitalize on scoring opportunities against a Montreal defense that has been quick to collapse around the net.
Betting Trends
- New York Rangers are 2–4–1 straight up this season (40% win rate).
- New York Rangers have covered the puckline in 60% of their last five games.
- The Rangers have hit the Over only once in their last five games (20%).
- Montreal Canadiens have won four straight after losing their season opener.
- Montreal has struggled against the puckline, covering only 33% of their last three games.
- The Canadiens have hit the Over in one-third of their recent contests.
Prediction and Analysis
Momentum and home-ice advantage lean heavily toward the Canadiens. Their ability to execute late and Caufield’s red-hot form make them the more trustworthy side. The Rangers’ inability to finish remains an issue — despite creating plenty of chances, frustration could mount quickly if they don’t break through early.
Expect Montréal to push the pace in front of their home crowd, capitalizing on second-chance opportunities against a Rangers defense still searching for rhythm.
Projected Score: Montréal Canadiens 4 – New York Rangers 3
Best Bet: Montréal Canadiens Moneyline (-114)
Over/Under Lean: Over 5.5 (-130)
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