The Pittsburgh Penguins (29-15-12) and New York Rangers (22-29-6) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 12:30 p.m. EST at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y. The game will be broadcast live on ABC.
The Penguins are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 5.5 (-130 / +110). The Penguins are a -115 favorite to win outright, while the Rangers are -105 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Penguins vs. Rangers predictions and NHL picks.
Penguins vs. Rangers Odds, Pick
| Penguins Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +225 | 5.5 -130o / 110u | -115 |
| Rangers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -278 | 5.5 -130o / 110u | -105 |
- Penguins vs. Rangers Spread: Penguins -1.5 (+225), Rangers +1.5 (-278)
- Penguins vs. Rangers Over/Under: 5.5 (-130 / +110)
- Penguins vs. Rangers Moneyline: Penguins -115, Rangers -105
Penguins vs. Rangers Preview
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without Sidney Crosby, who is sidelined for at least four weeks with a lower-body injury sustained at the Olympics. However, he also missed Thursday’s game against the New Jersey Devils, a 4-1 victory for Pittsburgh.
A similar result is possible on Saturday.
The Penguins have played strong two-way hockey this season. Entering this matchup, they rank fifth in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60), 10th in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) and sixth in expected goal share.
Backing this group is goaltender Stuart Skinner, who is slated to start Saturday. Skinner is 8-1-1 over his past 10 starts with a .904 save percentage and a 2.30 goals-against average.
New York Rangers
Skinner’s success is likely to continue against the New York Rangers, a team he has handled well. Over the past six meetings, Skinner is 5-0-1 with a .914 save percentage and a 2.49 goals-against average.
New York appears to be in transition, having traded Artemi Panarin and currently holding the second-worst record in the NHL. While Pittsburgh ranks among the league’s stronger two-way teams, the Rangers sit near the bottom.
This season, New York ranks 29th in xGF/60, 25th in xGA/60 and 30th in expected goal share. It is no surprise Pittsburgh won the most recent meeting between the teams.
Penguins vs. Rangers Prediction
The Rangers are expected to start Jonathan Quick. It has been a challenging season for the veteran, who is 4-14-2 through 20 appearances.
Quick owns a .890 save percentage during that span.
Even without Crosby, Pittsburgh is the side to back in this matchup.
Pick: Penguins Moneyline (-115 at DraftKings | Play to -120)
QS
