Rangers vs Penguins Pick
Are the New York Rangers and host Pittsburgh Penguins going to play a defense-dominated game tonight at 7:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Penguins are listed as a -155 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Rangers are a +125 underdog, while the over-under is set at 6 goals.
New York enters with a 14-10-2 record after a 5-1 home win Friday night over the Hurricanes. Pittsburgh is 15-10-3 following a 5-1 home win of its own Saturday over the Sabres. The Penguins won the first meeting this season 5-4 in overtime at New York. Pittsburgh is 4-2 in six meetings since the start of last season. The over is 5-1.
The Rangers were led by Michael Grabner with a hat trick in the victory over Carolina. Paul Carey and David Desharnais had a goal apiece. Seven different New York players dished out exactly one assist. Henrik Lundqvist made 32 saves on 33 shots. New York scored three goals in the third period to break open a 2-1 game.
Pittsburgh was paced by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Patric Hornqvist as each tallied a goal and an assist in the win versus Buffalo. Carl Hagelin and Phil Kessel both scored a goal. Kris Letang notched two assists. Tristan Jarry saved 32 shots on 33 attempts. The Penguins opened up a 3-0 lead through two periods and never relented.
New York is 1-4 in the last five meetings. The over is 5-0-1 in the last six meetings in Pittsburgh.
Lundqvist has a history of stepping up in big games and this one being on NBC Sports Network qualifies. The 22-year-old Jarry has shown the capability of being a very strong goaltender already at this level posting a 1.99 GAA in six starts this season with a sparkling .937 save percentage. Those marks might be unattainable for the rookie, but ride him while he is hot. If he gets the start in net as expected, this score is likely to fall somewhere below the expected six total goals. And if the score does end at something like 4-2, at least we get our money back.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: RANGERS/PENGUINS UNDER 6