Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NHL match.
After a promising start to their debut season, the Utah Hockey Club have hit a rough patch and are mostly losing to all comers. As a result, their chances of making the playoffs are rapidly diminishing. The New York Rangers, in contrast, have stabilised their play following a crisis and have recently been looking more confident. The teams have already faced each other in October, with the visitors narrowly losing in overtime (5:6), but now they have a good chance for revenge.
Utah Hockey Club
Following a bright start to the regular season, the Utah Hockey Club have slowed down considerably, winning just two of their last 11 games. During this stretch, they have conceded at least three goals on eight occasions. The team average 3.02 goals against per match, and this figure is even higher at home (3.3). In head-to-head meetings with the Rangers, the record is similarly bleak, with just one win in the past seven encounters. Over this period, they have conceded an average of 4.6 goals per game.
New York Rangers
The Rangers endured a tough November and December, but confidence has returned in 2025, as they have picked up points in six of their last seven matches. The New Yorkers have performed well against league leaders, securing points in games against the Colorado Avalanche (2:3 OT) and Dallas Stars (4:5 OT), and even defeating the Vegas Golden Knights (2:1). During this stretch, they have averaged 3.14 goals per game. Artemi Panarin, with 45 points (17+28) in 41 games, continues to lead the team, while Mika Zibanejad has scored in six of the last seven matches.
Utah Hockey Club vs New York Rangers Prediction
The Utah Hockey Club have struggled to consistently earn points, especially against strong opponents. Defensive issues and the absence of one of their top forwards, Dylan Guenther (16+18), significantly lower their chances against the Rangers. The New Yorkers, on the other hand, continue to showcase a strong offence, scoring 22 goals in their last seven games. Therefore, we'll take an interesting combo bet.
