The Blackhawks closed out last year with five straight games away from Chicago, and they'll open 2018 on the road as well before playing eight of their next nine home in United Center. I think it's a major chance they'll look past the New York Rangers here Wednesday night.

The Rangers are coming off a 3-2 overtime win over Buffalo in the Winter Classic on New Year's Day. They've been extremely hard to beat home at Madison Square Garden lately, winning 13 of their last 16 home games. The Blackhawks meanwhile have managed only one victory over the last five games and have dropped seven of their last nine away from home. They're 2-10 in their last 12 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600 and we can note that netminder Corey Crawford is back on injured reserve for the second time this season.

My selection is a 10* play on New York Rangers.