The New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins meet Saturday in NHL action at PPG Paints Arena. Here’s a Penguins vs Rangers Prediction. This article will include a Penguins vs Rangers Pick.
New York Rangers Betting Preview
The New York Rangers lost to the Penguins, beat the Sabres, and they play the Capitals next. The Rangers lost to the Penguins 0-3 in their season opener.
The New York Rangers are averaging 2 goals per game and are scoring 0 percent of their power play opportunities. J.T. Miller leads New York with 1 goal, Alexis Lafreniere has 1 assist, and Mika Zibanejad has 8 shots on goal. Defensively, the New York Rangers are allowing 1.5 goals per game and are killing 100 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Igor Shesterkin has allowed 1 goal on 66 shots faced.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Rangers and Islanders, and they play the Ducks next. The Penguins haven’t won their first three games since the 2013-14 season.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 3.5 goals per game and are scoring 33.3 percent of their power play opportunities. Justin Brazeau leads Pittsburgh with 3 goals, Evgeni Malkin has 5 assists, and Rickard Rakell has 6 shots on goal. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 1.5 goals per game and are killing 100 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Arturs Silovs has allowed 0 goals on 25 shots faced, while Tristan Jarry has given up 3 goals on 37 shots.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win
- The Penguins have won each of their last four games as underdogs.
- The Rangers have lost four of their last five games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Penguins have covered the puck line in each of their last six games as underdogs.
- The Rangers have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Penguins have won the third period in seven of their last eight games as underdogs.
Why the New York Rangers will win
- The road team has won seven of the last eight games between the Rangers and Penguins.
- The Penguins have lost three of their last four night games at PPG Paints Arena following a home win.
- The Rangers have covered the puck line in each of their last seven road games against the Penguins.
- The Rangers have won the third period in each of their last six games as favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Penguins’ last eight home games against Metropolitan Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Thirteen of the Rangers’ last 16 road games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Four of the last five games between teams from the same division have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last nine games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Penguins’ last eight home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Sidney Crosby has scored a goal in each of the Penguins’ last six night games at PPG Paints Arena.
- Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one point in each of the Penguins’ last 12 games as home underdogs.
- Rickard Rakell has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Penguins’ last eight night games at PPG Paints Arena.
- Evgeni Malkin ranks 1st in the league for Assists (5) this season.
New York Rangers Player Prop Facts
- Artemi Panarin has scored a goal in four of the Rangers’ last five games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Adam Fox has recorded at least one point in each of his last eight appearances with the Rangers as road favorites.
- J.T. Miller has recorded at least one assist in each of the Rangers’ last five games as road favorites.
- Alexis Lafreniere ranks T2nd in the league for Game Winning Goals (1) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank T1st in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (100.00%).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank T4th in the league in power play percentage this season (33.33%).
- The New York Rangers rank T1st in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (100.00%).
- The New York Rangers rank T5th in the league for goals against per game this season (1.50).
Penguins vs Rangers Prediction
The Rangers are the better team on paper and will have revenge on their mind after losing their opener at home to Pittsburgh in shutout fashion. The Rangers have won 7 of the last 10 games against the Penguins. However, we’re getting plus money with a Penguins team that’s probably been the most impressive through two games. Will it continue? Probably not. However, the Penguins are rolling offensively, and they had a good defensive game plan against the Rangers once already. At home, I’ll take a stab with the more favorable price.