Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Each day, Last Word on Hockey analyzes the scheduled games and provides insights to forecast which teams will come out on top. Today’s focus is on the matchup between the New York Rangers and the Colorado Avalanche. Keep an eye out for more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season progresses.
For the first time this season, the Rangers (20-20-2) will go head-to-head with the Avalanche (26-17-1), marking the first of two encounters within a 12-day span. Once regarded as top competitors in their respective conferences, the Rangers tonight aim to demonstrate they can still contend with the league’s elite, while the Avalanche will be ready for the challenge.
**Shesterkin’s Return Bolstering Rangers’ Success**
After recovering from an injury that sidelined him for four games, Igor Shesterkin made his comeback for the Rangers on January 9 against the New Jersey Devils and secured a victory. He followed that with another win over the Vegas Golden Knights, leading to a mini two-game winning streak for New York. December was a tough month for Shesterkin, as he lost seven of his ten games prior to getting injured. For the Rangers to re-enter the playoff picture, they will need him to replicate his January performance.
Mika Zibanejad is another Ranger rediscovering his form. Since the start of 2025, he has scored in all six of New York’s games, which comes as a relief for the Blueshirts given his previous underwhelming contributions. If he can maintain this momentum, it could energize the Rangers’ power play.
**Blackwood’s Solid Performance Driving Avalanche Forward**
The Avalanche head into tonight’s game with a record of 7-2-1 over their last ten outings, getting closer to the competitive top three in the Central Division. A critical factor in this success has been the performance of new starting goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood. In 11 games with Colorado, he has won eight times and has kept opponents to two goals or less in every outing so far. With impressive offensive talent in front of him, this has proven to be a winning combination.
However, a key player to keep an eye on amid Colorado’s success is perennial Norris Trophy candidate Cale Makar, who has not recorded a point in his last four games—during which the Avalanche suffered two regulation losses. His scoring prowess is too great to be sidelined indefinitely, so expect him to be impactful in tonight’s game. A resurgence in Makar’s scoring could also boost the Avalanche’s power play, which has been uncharacteristically average.
**Prediction**
Despite the star power on both teams, the goalie matchup will likely be the highlight. Shesterkin and Blackwood are both at their season-best, though Shesterkin may face a tougher challenge against Nathan MacKinnon’s elite line and a motivated Makar. If Blackwood can continue limiting opponents to two goals or fewer, the Avalanche’s offensive capabilities should handle the rest.
**Prop Bets of the Night**
To wrap up tonight’s NHL predictions, let’s look at some prop bets focused on Colorado. Mikko Rantanen has scored 8 goals in 13 career games against the Rangers and is listed at +110 to score tonight. Expect Makar to break through his scoring drought, so consider betting on him to register at least one point. The spread for this matchup is set at 1.5, with the Avalanche -1.5 at +134 odds.
