Nobody wants to face a team hitting their stride as the playoffs begin and the New York Rangers have been tasked with just that as they get paired up with the scorching-hot Pittsburgh Penguins in the series opener Wednesday night.
- The Penguins are 9-2 SU in their last 11 games on home ice.
- The Rangers are 1-5 SU in their last six games versus the Metropolitan Division.
- The total has gone OVER in the Rangers’ last three road games.
Despite a 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in the final game of the regular season, no team is playing better hockey than the Penguins. The Pens closed the season with a 14-2 SU record in their final 16 games. Pittsburgh used the late-season surge to nab second place in the competitive Metropolitan Division and leapfrog the Rangers. They are not without injury concerns, however, as Evgeni Malkin remains out and Olli Maatta, Beau Bennett and Bryan Rust are questionable. Goaltending is another issue as Marc-Andre Fleury’s status remains up in the air as he continues to deal with a concussion.
As for the Blueshirts, they’ll look to extend their postseason dominance over the Pens with a win in the Sportsbook round. The Rangers defeated Pittsburgh in five games in the first round last season and seven games in the second round in the 2014 playoffs.
Henrik Lundqvist has been dealing with a bit of illness but should get the start Wednesday. He has certainly not closed the season on a strong note as he posted a 3.38 goals against average in nine March starts and a 3.32 GAA in four April starts.
The Pens were excellent versus the Rangers this season as they won three of four head-to-head meetings including both on the road at Madison Square Garden.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had the Pittsburgh Penguins as -125 moneyline favorites in this particular NHL betting matchup earlier. The over under total, meanwhile, was set early at 5 before betting started to move the line at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game pick a 3.8-1.6 victory for the Penguins. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Supporters of the New York Rangers have seen them go 46-27-9 so far this season, while the Penguins are at 48-26-8. In totals betting, the Pittsburgh Penguins are 36-32-14, while the Rangers are 37-28-17. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Pittsburgh vs New York injuries news.
The Rangers - Penguins odds would favor the Penguins if the lines were set according to our power ranks. Pittsburgh is rated No. 1 in the current Odds Shark poll, while New York is at No. 17.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Pittsburgh Penguins No. 3-ranked offense (2.99 goals per game) against a New York Rangers defense that ranks No. 14 at 2.65 goals per game allowed. The Penguins Sportsbook has clicked at a 18.53% rate while the Rangers have a 78.19% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
New York was a 3-2 Sportsbook in its last match at home against the Red Wings. They won as favorites, while the total score of 5 made Sportsbooks of PUSH bettors.
The Penguins were a 3-1 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Flyers. That made Sportsbooks of bettors who got Philadelphia at -188 on the moneyline, while the total score (4) was good news for OVER bettors.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Rangers's last 5 games on the road
- NY Rangers is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games when playing Pittsburgh
- NY Rangers is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Rangers's last 7 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games
- Pittsburgh is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
New York at Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 16th
