The New York Rangers host the struggling Vancouver Canucks at Madison Square Garden in an inter-conference matchup that pits a playoff-contending Original Six franchise against a Pacific Division team searching for consistency. New York (16-14-4, 36 points) has steadied after an uneven start, leaning on Artemi Panarin’s elite production and Igor Shesterkin’s Vezina-caliber goaltending to stay in the Metropolitan Division wildcard race. Vancouver (12-17-3, 27 points) arrives mired in a slump, hampered by injuries and defensive breakdowns despite flashes from Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson. This Tuesday clash contrasts the Rangers’ structured forecheck and power play with Vancouver’s speed and transition potential—expect New York’s home-ice edge and superior depth to shine in a building famous for its bright lights and passionate crowd.
Venue
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY (18,006-capacity iconic arena known as “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” with its championship banners, steep seating, and electric “Potvin sucks” chants; a true hockey mecca)
Puckdrop: 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT)
Broadcast: MSG Network (Rangers local); Sportsnet Pacific (Canucks); streaming on ESPN+ and MSG GO; radio on ESPN 98.7 (New York) and Sportsnet 650 (Vancouver)
MSG’s holiday decorations and pre-game hype reel set the tone for Vancouver’s only regular-season visit to New York this year.
Team Records
The Rangers hold a clear standings advantage, ranking top-12 in power-play efficiency while Vancouver struggles with the league’s bottom-10 penalty kill and road defense.
| Team | Overall Record | Division Record | Home/Road | Last 10 | GF/GA (Per Game) | PP% / PK% |
| New York Rangers | 16-14-4 (36 pts) | 6-5-2 (Metropolitan) | 10-5-2 / 6-9-2 | 6-3-1 | 3.15 / 3.00 | 24.5% / 81.8% |
| Vancouver Canucks | 12-17-3 (27 pts) | 4-8-1 (Pacific) | 7-8-1 / 5-9-2 | 3-6-1 | 2.80 / 3.45 | 19.2% / 75.6% |
Rangers rank No. 10 in goals scored at home; Canucks No. 28 in road goals against.
Recent Team Forms
New York has found rhythm with a 6-3-1 stretch, capped by a 4-1 win over New Jersey—Panarin (9 points in last 6) and Mika Zibanejad drive the offense, while Shesterkin has posted .925 SV% in December. Home form: 5-2-0 in last 7, averaging 3.7 goals.Vancouver is slumping at 3-6-1 in their last 10, dropping a 5-2 decision to Seattle last outing despite Pettersson’s goal. Road woes persist (2-5-1 last 8 away), leaking 4.0 GA, though Thatcher Demko has shown flashes (.910 SV% recently).
Injury Report
Vancouver faces significant forward absences; Rangers relatively healthy on defense. Updates as of December 16 morning skate.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Reason/Estimated Return | Impact Notes |
| Rangers | Filip Chytil | C | Out | Upper body (IR since Nov.) | Depth center; 8 goals lost |
| Rangers | Ryan Lindgren | D | Questionable | Lower body (day-to-day) | Game-time; physical minutes |
| Rangers | Kaapo Kakko | RW | Available | Returned Dec. 12; full go | Scoring winger back |
| Canucks | Brock Boeser | RW | Out | Upper body (week-to-week) | Team-leading 14 goals impacted |
| Canucks | Dakota Joshua | C | Out | Groin (IR since Oct.) | Physical forward; long-term |
| Canucks | Pius Suter | C | Available | Cleared; no restrictions | Depth intact |
Rangers’ big guns (Panarin, Zibanejad, Kreider) healthy; Vancouver relies heavily on Hughes/Pettersson/Miller line.
Key Player Matchups
Elite skill vs. defensive structure highlights this one.
Artemi Panarin (Rangers LW, 20 G, 45 PTS) vs. Quinn Hughes (Canucks D): Panarin’s wizardry (10 points last 7) tests Hughes’ mobility; Vancouver allows 32 shots/game. Edge: Rangers.
Elias Pettersson (Canucks C, 12 G, 32 PTS) vs. Mika Zibanejad (Rangers C): Pettersson’s shot (5 points last 4) vs. Zibanejad’s two-way play; Rangers win 54% faceoffs. Edge: Even.
Igor Shesterkin (Rangers G, .918 SV%) vs. Thatcher Demko (Canucks G, .902 SV%): Shesterkin’s home dominance (.925 SV%) vs. Demko’s road struggles (3.50 GAA away). Edge: Rangers.
Chris Kreider (Rangers LW, 15 G) vs. Canucks PK: Kreider’s net-front presence (8 PPG) exploits Vancouver’s 75.6% kill. Edge: Rangers.
J.T. Miller (Canucks C) vs. Rangers Bottom Pair: Miller’s physicality could generate if New York turns over.
Special teams: Rangers’ 24.5% PP feasts on Canucks’ bottom-10 PK; Vancouver’s speed threatens shorthanded.
Series History
Rangers and Canucks meet infrequently as non-conference foes (Rangers lead all-time 68-52-18). This season’s prior game:
Oct. 22, 2025: New York 5-3 win @ Vancouver
Rangers strong at home (7-3 last 10 in MSG vs. Canucks). Trends: Overs in 6 of last 10 meetings (avg. 6.5 goals); multi-goal decisions common.
Betting Trends:
Trends: Rangers 6-4 ATS last 10 as -150+ favorites; Canucks 4-6 ATS on road. Overs 5-5 in Rangers’ last 10 home; 6-4 in inter-conference.
Historical: Favorites 8-2 SU in last 10 series meetings.
Game Odds
Vancouver Canucks 5.5
New York Rangers – 120
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 15, 2025
