Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, and the New York Rangers are set to do battle against Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel, and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena in a Metro Division showdown. The game will get going at 0:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 17, and you’ll be able to witness it live on NBC.
New York Rangers at Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
The Penguins (-205) are currently the favorite over the Rangers (+175) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 7 goals (-130 over, +110 under).
Pittsburgh is 30-28 straight up (SU) and has recorded -12.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 47-35 record that the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. Among its 58 games this season, 26 have gone over the total, while another 26 have gone under and just five have pushed. This year, the team is 16-13 SU at home.
The Penguins have connected on 24.5 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s good enough for fifth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 11th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.9 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 27.0 saves per game with a .916 save percentage, Casey DeSmith (13-19-5) has been the best option in goal for the Pens this year. DeSmith did just play last night, however, so Pittsburgh could opt to give him the day off and instead turn to Matt Murray (17-12-12 record, .913 save percentage, 2.93 goals against average).
On the other side of the ice, New York is 25-32 straight up (SU) and has earned 0.5 units for moneyline bettors this season. 30 of its outings have gone over the total, while 26 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. As the road team, the Rangers are 10-17 SU so far.
The Rangers have converted on 21.5 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s good enough for 10th-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 26th overall and it’s successfully defended 77.4 percent of all penalties.
Henrik Lundqvist (28.9 saves per game) has been the main choice in the net for New York. Lundqvist owns a 16-24-8 record, while registering a .907 save percentage and 3.02 goals against average this year.
New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- The Rangers are 6-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Penguins are 1-2 in shootouts.
- The under has hit in four of Pittsburgh’s last five games.
- Six of Pittsburgh’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals, and the team is 4-2 overall in those games.
- This game features two of the more physical teams in the league. New York skaters have accounted for the sixth-most hits in the league (26.1 per game) while the Pens have handed the most (29.6).
