It's hard not to jump on the punchlines that offer themselves with an NHL team that has scored one goal in three games.

Especially one who became the first in history to go scoreless in its first three home games of the season.

Saturday's tilt is at the Bell Centre, so bettors don't have to be as concerned with considering this remarkable Rangers slump.

They still are, though, as public betting reports reflect 76 percent of the handle on Montreal.

The truth is the Rangers haven't looked as bad as the scores say.

In Thursday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs, the Rangers generated 17 high danger scoring chances to Toronto's nine, per Natural Stat Trick.

Two days prior, they out-chanced the Oilers, 14-3, in the high danger department.

"Looking at them, I wouldn't imagine you're saying that they are snakebitten," said Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner after denying all 30 Rangers shots. "They made some amazing plays."

Maybe prime career Martin Broudeur is assuming the body of every opposing goaltender; perhaps the Rangers really are just snakebitten.

Either way, something is going to give.

At 5-on-5 play, the Rangers are No. 3 overall in expected goals rate and No. 9 in puck possession per MoneyPuck.

Montreal has won four straight -- all against teams who missed the playoffs six months ago.

Sam Montembeault has jumped out to a rocky start with a .870 save percentage, dragging the team mark down to .884.

On special teams, the Canadiens are in the bottom 12 teams on both the power play and penalty kill.

They're putting 25.6 shots on goal, ranked No. 25 in the NHL, while converting at a fifth-best 14.1 percent.

Sounds like the Habs have the antithesis of luck to the Rangers, who have stopped the highest percentage of shots and have been elite on the penalty kill.

Whether the Rangers are crossing too many black cats while the Canadiens rub the rabbits foot, pick your superstition -- I'm following the value of the better team.

THE PLAY: Rangers (+105, FanDuel)

Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post. He primarily focuses on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk.

Rangers vs. Canadiens prediction: NHL odds, picks, best bets Saturday