Rangers vs Penguins Pick – NHL Predictions & Odds 3/16/23

The Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers meet Thursday in NHL action at Madison Square Garden. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 3.3 goals per game and are scoring on 21.4 percent of their power play opportunities. Sidney Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 29 goals, Evgeni Malkin has 48 assists, and Rickard Rakell has 204 shots on goal. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 3.2 goals per game and are killing 79.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Tristan Jarry has allowed 100 goals on 1,105 shots faced, and Casey DeSmith has given up 93 goals on 1,011 shots.

The New York Rangers are averaging 3.2 goals per game and are scoring on 23.3 percent of their power play opportunities. Mika Zibanejad leads New York with 34 goals, Artmei Panarin has 54 assists, and Chris Kreider has 196 shots on goal. Defensively, the New York Rangers are allowing 2.8 goals per game and are killing 79.3 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Igor Shesterkin has allowed 127 goals on 1,406 shots faced, and Jaroslav Halak has given up 54 goals on 547 shots.

The Penguins are 1-5 in their last 6 Thursday games and 7-3 in their last 10 overall. The Rangers are 7-2 in their last 9 home games and 8-3 in their last 11 games following a win. The under is 5-2 in Penguins last 7 road games. The over is 6-1 in Rangers last 7 home games. The Penguins are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings in New York. The home team is 20-8 in the last 28 meetings. The favorite is 23-9 in the last 32 meetings.

Bigger game for the Pittsburgh Penguins as they’re still trying to close on a playoff spot and their recent form makes them attractive as underdogs. However, the New York Rangers have been more consistent, they’re at home, and it’s the home team that’s absolutely dominated past meetings between these clubs. Reasonable price. Give me the Rangers.