The New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins face-off in a Metropolitan Division rivalry game. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here with Last Word On Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for games around the NHL. In tonight’s matchup, The Penguins and New York clash in Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan‘s return to Pittsburgh.
NHL Predictions: New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Head-to-Head: Rangers 1-1 Penguins
Time: 3:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Penguins Story
Pittsburgh comes into this game off a 6-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. With the victory, the Penguins are 6-2-2 in their last 10, and have won their last five-straight games. With an overall record of 27-14-11, Pittsburgh sits tied in the Metropolitan Division with the New York Islanders for second plce, although the Penguins hold two games in hand. The team has been spectacular since the holiday break, with the best points percentage in the NHL since then. Their 65 points place them six points ahead of the Washington Capitals for a divisional Stanley Cup Playoff spot, while having three games in hand over Washington.
Depth has continued to be the story over this win streak. Rather than one player or even one line getting it done. The contributions have come all across the lineup, including in net. New addition Yegor Chinakhov has been great, scoring six goals and eight points in his first 14 games with the Penguins. Evgeni Malkin has been fantastic since coming back from injury, with three goals and six points in his last five games. Defensively, Ryan Shea has been a standout. The left shot D has elevated his game significantly. With a goal and an assist against Chicago, he’s up to a career high of three goals and 21 points in 52 games.
In net, expect Stuart Skinner to get the start as per the regular Penguins rotation. Skinner has really found his legs in Pittsburgh, with an overall record of 7-4-0, and wins in four straight starts.
Rangers Story
The Penguins and the Rangers have had the opposite results from what was expected prior to the season. While the Rangers were expected to be around second place in the Metropolitan Division, like the Penguins currently are, they instead find themselves sitting right at the bottom of the East, seven points back of a slew of teams in second-last. Following a disappointing season last year, this one has been disastrous for the Rangers. This has been exacerbated by the news that pending free agent Artemi Panarin will be held out of action until he can be traded.
The Russian superstar led the Rangers in scoring with 19 goals and 57 points. With his departure, Mika Zibanejad leads New York with 23 goals and 51 points in 54 games. The resurgence of Zibanejad hasn’t been as fruitful as the Rangers hoped. While he’s done well, the rest of the top-end talent on the team has completely faltered. J.T. Miller’s 35 points trail Zibanejad by 16 for second on the team. Former first overall pick Alexis Lafrenière has all but confirmed his status as a draft bust, scoring just 10 goals and 29 points through 55 games in his sixth season in the league.
With an injury to superstar netminder Igor Shesterkin, expect Jonathan Quick to start. The two-time cup winner is 4-12-2 this season with an .885 save percentage.
Prediction
The Penguins and the Rangers could not be farther apart, momentum-wise. As the Penguins look to extend their win streak to six, expect them to win over a depleted Rangers squad.
Prop Bet of the Night
The Penguins have found their scoring touch while getting much better at shutting down opponents. A popular prop bet of goals over seven with odds of +168 is a good bet.
Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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