Vegas (31-15-6) at NY Rangers (24-23-4)
- When: Feb 2 2025, 6:00 PM
- Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, USA
- TV: MSG
Game Preview
Moneyline: Vegas -133 | Total: 6.0
The Vegas Golden Knights travel to Madison Square Garden on Sunday night, looking to capitalize on the struggling New York Rangers, who have dropped three straight. Both teams are adjusting to lineup changes, and with Vegas coming in as a slight road favorite, this sets up an intriguing betting matchup.
New York Rangers: Struggling Defense & A Tough Skid
The Rangers (31-16-3) looked like one of the NHL’s hottest teams just over a week ago, riding a 10-game point streak (7-0-3). However, their defensive play has unraveled, leading to three consecutive losses in which they’ve been outscored 15-7.
New York’s rough week ended with a 6-3 loss to Boston on Saturday, and while J.T. Miller’s return to the team was a personal success, his two-goal performance wasn’t enough to stop the defensive collapse. The Rangers have now allowed four or more goals in three straight games, a concerning trend as they face a Vegas team desperate for a bounce-back win.
Key Factors for New York:
Defensive struggles: The Rangers were a top-tier defensive team during their point streak but have now given up 15 goals in three games.
Miller’s impact: In his first game back with the Rangers, Miller scored twice, showing immediate chemistry with his new teammates.
Home advantage: This will be Miller’s first game back at MSG since 2018, and the team could rally around him for a strong response.
While the offense hasn’t completely stalled, the Rangers’ inability to keep pucks out of their own net is an issue heading into this matchup. If Vegas gets an early lead, New York will need to tighten up defensively to stay in the game.
Vegas Golden Knights: Inconsistent Play & Offensive Struggles
The Golden Knights (29-17-6) are 3-6-3 in their last 12 games, a significant downturn after winning 13 of 15 in December. Their recent 2-1 overtime loss to Columbus on Thursday highlighted their offensive woes, as Vegas has now been held under 30 shots on goal in four straight games.
Vegas took a 2-1 overtime loss to the Rangers in their last meeting on Jan. 11, so they’ll be looking for payback. However, generating offense has been a major issue, with the team struggling to create high-quality chances and capitalize on them.
Key Factors for Vegas:
Slow offensive production: The Golden Knights are struggling to generate scoring opportunities, failing to register more than 30 shots in four straight games.
New addition – Brandon Saad: Vegas signed veteran forward Saad, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, who could make his debut against New York.
Key injuries: William Karlsson remains out, while Mark Stone has just two goals in his last 12 games.
Despite their offensive slump, Vegas remains one of the NHL’s best defensive teams, and they’ll need that structure to slow down a Rangers team looking to snap its losing streak.
Betting Prediction & Final Thoughts
Vegas enters this matchup as a slight road favorite, and for good reason. The Rangers’ recent defensive struggles have made them vulnerable, while the Golden Knights’ defensive structure remains solid despite their own offensive inconsistencies.
This game could be a low-scoring battle, especially with both teams having trouble finding the net at times. New York will need stronger goaltending and a tightened defense to stay competitive, but Vegas’ edge in defensive play and slight momentum advantage should give them the upper hand.
Final Score Prediction: Vegas 3, New York 2
Best Bets:
✔️ Vegas Moneyline (-133)
✔️ Under 6.0 Total Goals
✔️ J.T. Miller Anytime Goal Scorer (Riding momentum from his two-goal debut)
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
