Rangers vs. Blues NHL Predictions, Picks and Odds - Dec. 18

The New York Rangers (16-15-4) visit the St. Louis Blues (13-15-7) on Thursday, Dec. 18, with the Rangers coming off a defeat in their last game and the Blues a win. The oddsmakers have made the Rangers solid favorites at -148 on the moneyline, despite being the visitors, and the Blues are at +124.

New York fell in a 3-0 loss at home its last time out on Dec. 16 against the Vancouver Canucks. Jonathan Quick took the loss in goal for the Rangers, making 14 saves and giving up two goals.

St. Louis won at home in its most recent game on Dec. 17, 1-0 over the Winnipeg Jets. The Blues got one point each out of Robert Thomas (one assist) and Justin Faulk (one goal).

Ahead of this matchup, here is who we predict to secure the win in Thursday's hockey action.

Rangers vs. Blues Predictions & Pick

For the upcoming contest between the New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues, computer-derived moneyline, over/under, and score predictions are below, per Dunkel Index.

• Prediction: Blues 2 - Rangers 1
• Pick OU: Under 5.5 (Dunkel projecting 3.04 goals)
  

Pick with the best in the business! Get free picks for every game, every week at the Dunkel Index.

Rangers vs. Blues Moneylines

Take a peek below at the most up-to-date moneylines for the Rangers-Blues game.

• Favorite: Rangers (-148)
• Underdog: Blues (+124)

Rangers Betting Insights

• The Rangers have won 47.4% of their games when favored on the moneyline this season (9-10).
• When playing with moneyline odds of -148 or shorter, New York has put together a 2-5 record (winning just 28.6% of its games).
• The implied moneyline probability in this game says the Rangers have a 59.7% chance to win.
• In 12 of 35 matches this season, New York and its opponent have combined to finish above 5.5 goals.

Blues Betting Insights

• The Blues have been an underdog in 18 games this season, and won 11 (61.1%).
• St. Louis has entered five games this season as an underdog by +124 or more and is 2-3 in those contests.
• The implied probability of a win by the Blues, based on the moneyline, is 44.6%.
• St. Louis' games this season have had more than 5.5 goals 17 of 35 times.

Rangers Key Stats

• New York's 88 total goals (2.5 per game) rank 28th in the NHL.
• The Rangers rank 11th in goals against, conceding 95 total goals (2.7 per game) in league play.
• Its -7 goal differential ranks 21st in the league.
• The 15 power-play goals the Rangers have scored this season (to rank 26th in the NHL) have come on 82 power-play chances.
• New York has the league's 20th-ranked power-play conversion rate (18.29%).
• The two shorthanded goals the Rangers have scored this season rank 15th among NHL squads.
• New York has the league's 15th-ranked penalty-kill percentage (81.25%).
• New York has the third-best faceoff win rate in the NHL, at 54.4%.
• The Rangers have a 9.7% shooting percentage as a team, which ranks 27th in the league.

Blues Key Stats

• With 87 goals (2.5 per game), St. Louis has the NHL's 29th-ranked offense.
• The Blues' total of 121 goals conceded (3.5 per game) is 32nd in the league.
• it has the 32nd-ranked goal differential in the league at -34.
• The Blues have 17 power-play goals (on 92 chances), 22nd in the NHL.
• St. Louis has the league's 18th-ranked power-play percentage (18.48%).
• This season, the Blues have two shorthanded goals (15th in league).
• At 78.16%, St. Louis has the 24th-ranked penalty-kill percentage in the league.
• St. Louis wins 50.9% of faceoffs, 12th-ranked in the NHL.
• The Blues' 9.8% shooting percentage is 26th in the league.