Two teams that both played games yesterday, the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins clash at PPG Paints Arena in a divisional showdown. NBC Sports Network will air the game, and the opening face-off takes place at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 14.
New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
Pittsburgh is 23-22 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 45 regular season outings, 22 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 20 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team is 14-8 SU at home this year.
The Penguins come into the matchup with the strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as they’ve converted on 27.0 percent of their extra-man advantages this season. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.5 percent of all penalties.
The Penguins, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.2 times per game overall this season, and 3.2 per game over their last five games home outings. The team has had to defend opposition power plays for just 8.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 24.7 saves per game with a .903 save percentage, Matt Murray (17 wins, 14 losses, and one OT loss) has been the top option in goal for Pittsburgh this season. If Pittsburgh chooses to rest him, however, the team may go with Tristan Jarry (9-7-7 record, .922 save percentage, 2.35 goals against average).
Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin will both be offensive focal points for the Penguins. Kessel (50 points) is up to 19 goals and 31 assists and has recorded multiple points in 11 different games this year. Malkin has 19 goals and 27 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 28 games.
On the other side of the ice, New York is 22-21 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 43 regular season matches, 21 of its games have gone over the total, while 19 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Rangers are 7-10 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Rangers have converted on 18.8 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked third overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
New York’s players have been called for penalties only 3.5 times per game in total this season, and 2.2 per game over their last five outings. The team’s had to kill penalties just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Henrik Lundqvist (29.1 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for New York. Lundqvist owns a 19-17-4 record, while registering a .923 save percentage and 2.54 goals against average this year.
Mats Zuccarello (eight goals, 24 assists) has been one of the primary offensive facilitators for the visiting Rangers.
New York Rangers at Pittsburgh Penguins Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
43.5 percent of Pittsburgh’s wins have come by two or more goals (the team is 10-10 overall in such games) while 59.1 percent of New York’s wins have come by two goals or more (13-10 overall in games decided by at least two goals).
The Penguins are 10-10 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Rangers are 9-11 SU in games where they spend more time in the box than the opposition.
Four of New York’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 2-2 in those games and 3-4 overall in shootouts this season.
The total has gone under in three of Pittsburgh’s last five outings.
Pittsburgh has scored 2.9 goals per game overall this season, but has raised that figure up to 4.7 per contest over its three-game winning streak.
Pittsburgh skaters have averaged 7.6 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 8.4 giveaways per game (ranked 9th).
New York is ranked 32nd this season with 14.1 giveaways per game. That figure’s trended down recently, however, as the team’s averaged 12.9 giveaways over its last 10 games and 11.4 giveaways over its last five.
The Pens this season have handed the fourth-most hits in the NHL (24.1 per game), but the club has averaged 30.6 over their last five games as the home team.
