The Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers meet Saturday in NHL action at Madison Square Garden. Here’s a Rangers vs. Penguins prediction. This article will include a Rangers vs. Penguins pick.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Sabres and Devils, and they play the Golden Knights next. The Penguins have won 8 of their last 10 games.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 3.42 goals per game and are scoring 26 percent of their power play opportunities. Sidney Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 27 goals, Evgeni Malkin has 33 assists, and Bryan Rust has 127 shots on goal. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 2.86 goals per game and are killing 84.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Arturs Silovs has allowed 75 goals on 730 shots faced, while Tristan Jarry has given up 36 goals on 396 shots.
New York Rangers Betting Preview
The New York Rangers lost to the Hurricanes and Flyers and play the Blue Jackets next. The Rangers have lost 8 of their last 9 games.
The New York Rangers are averaging 2.6 goals per game and are scoring 22.2 percent of their power play opportunities. Mika Zibanejad leads New York with 23 goals, Artemi Panarin has 38 assists, and Will Cuylle has 110 shots on goal. Defensively, the New York Rangers are allowing 3.16 goals per game and are killing 79.9 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Igor Shesterkin has allowed 85 goals on 970 shots faced, while Jonathan Quick has given up 58 goals on 528 shots.
Why the New York Rangers will win
- The Penguins have lost each of their last five games as road favorites following a home win.
- The Rangers have won three of their last four games as home underdogs against the Penguins.
- The Rangers have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games as underdogs against the Penguins.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven games as road favorites following a home win.
- The Penguins have lost the second period in each of their last five road games against Metropolitan Division opponents when tied after the first period.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win
- The Rangers have lost 10 of their last 11 home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Penguins have won each of their last five road games following a win.
- The road team has covered the puck line in nine of the last 10 games between the Penguins and Rangers.
- The Rangers have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games against Eastern Conference opponents after coming off overtime.
- The Rangers have lost the second period in each of their last five games after coming off overtime.
Total Goals Facts
- Eight of the last nine games between two teams from the Metropolitan Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Seven of the Rangers’ last eight home games against Metropolitan Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Seven of the Penguins’ last eight day games against Metropolitan Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last 13 day games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last 10 games.
New York Rangers Player Prop Facts
- Adam Fox has scored at least one goal in three of his last four appearances against the Penguins.
- Mika Zibanejad has recorded an assist in each of the Rangers’ last six Saturday day games against Eastern Conference opponents at Madison Square Garden.
- Adam Fox has scored two goals against the Penguins this season—most against any opponent.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Blake Lizotte has scored a goal in each of the Penguins’ last three road games against the Rangers.
- Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Anthony Mantha has scored two goals against the Rangers this season—equal to his most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The New York Rangers rank T27th in the league for goals per game this season (2.60).
- The New York Rangers rank 32nd in the league for Period 2 goals scored per game this season (0.78).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 2nd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (84.52%).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 4th in the league in power play percentage this season (26.00%).
Rangers vs Penguins Prediction
The Rangers competed in their first game back from the break, but it doesn’t move the needle much. The Rangers are banged up, have issues defensively, and aren’t finishing games. We’ve also been blindly fading the Rangers at home all season. The Rangers have just six home wins. The Penguins are without Crosby, but they’ve been on a heater and look sharp against the Devils. I’m going to continue betting against the Rangers on their home ice. Give me the Penguins.