Rangers vs. Canadiens Player Props: NHL Picks & Best Bets for Saturday

The New York Rangers are playing defensive-minded hockey under new coach Mike Sullivan, allowing only four 5-on-5 goals in their first six games. We’ve taken those numbers into account when making our Rangers vs. Canadiens player props and NHL best bets for tonight’s matchup at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+) from Bell Centre in Montreal.

My NHL picks for this contest are targeting continued struggles from Montreal’s Juraj Slavkovsky and Patrik Laine. We’re also backing Mika Zibanejad in the anytime goal scorer market as he looks to extend his history of success against the Canadiens.

🏒 Rangers vs. Canadiens player props: Saturday

NHL player prop bets for Saturday; odds subject to change.

• Juraj Slafkovsky Under 0.5 points (-110 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐
• Patrik Laine Under 1.5 shots (+112 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Mika Zibanejad anytime goal scorer (+245 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐

💰 Best player prop bets for Rangers vs. Canadiens

Our NHL player prop odds tool shows the best odds for every market across legal sportsbooks in your area.

⬇️  Juraj Slafkovsky Under 0.5 points (-110) ⭐⭐⭐

Although linemates Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki have each recorded seven points in five games, Slafkovsky has failed to join the party. He’s been held pointless in each of the Habs’ last three games, and his lone point of the season came on the power play.

He’s also recorded just four shots on net in his last three games, producing only 0.3 expected goals during that span. If that trend continues tonight, we might even see Slafkovsky get demoted from the top line.

FanDuel is pricing another pointless outing from Slafkovsky at -120 odds, but you can find a more favorable -110 price at DraftKings and BetMGM. A $10 wager at either of those sportsbooks pays $9.09 profit with an implied probability of 52.38%.

⬇️  Patrik Laine Under 1.5 shots (+112) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

After producing 20 goals and 33 points in 52 games with the Canadiens last year, Laine has seen his stock drop dramatically this season.

He’s generated just 0.4 expected goals through five games, mired in a fourth-line role with very limited time on Montreal’s second power play unit. On Wednesday against Nashville, Laine was held without a shot on goal for the second time in four games.

A date with a Rangers team that has given up just four 5-on-5 goals this season hardly seems like the tonic for Laine to break out. Laine Under 1.5 shots pays +112 odds at FanDuel, returning $11.20 on a $10 bet with a 47.17% implied probability.

🥅 Best anytime goal scorer prediction for Rangers vs. Canadiens

Track the latest NHL scores for line movement and matchup info.

🔥 Mika Zibanejad anytime goal scorer (+245) ⭐⭐

The way the Rangers are struggling to score right now (one goal in their last three games), it’s hard to back any New York player in the anytime goal market. But if there’s one candidate who stands out as the most likely to break through versus Montreal, it’s Zibanejad.

The 10-time 20-goal man has managed just one marker so far this season, but he’s pacing New York in expected goals and shots on net while also leading all forwards in shot attempts. He’s also tormented the Canadiens in recent meetings, collecting 10 points in his last five games versus Montreal.

Zibanejad anytime goal pays the best at DraftKings, whose +245 odds imply a 28.99% probability and could return $24.50 on a $10 bet.

📊 Rangers vs. Canadiens odds

Latest NHL odds updated live in real time.

📺 How to watch Rangers vs. Canadiens

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 18
• Puck drop: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where: Bell Centre (Montreal)
• TV: ESPN+