The Pittsburgh Penguins are rollin right along without superstar Sid the Kid In the lineup. They’ll be hoping for another win tonight when they take on the N.Y. Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Betway.com has the Rangers as 2.15 favorites over the Penguins with the over/under listed at 5.5. Get your NHL Pick in now at Betway.com
The Penguins are scoring more goals without Crosby than when he was healthy. They’re 13-6-4 this season with Crosby sidelined. They are 5-1 SU in their last six overall, moving within a point of Eastern Conference-leading New Jersey on Sunday. In their last two games they’ve averaged 7.00 GAG and in their last five games they’ve averaged 4.40 GAG. The Pens have nine different players who have scored at least one goal in the last two games. They recently beat Philadelphia 7-1 at home and Evgeni Malkin had two goals and two assists. He has 97pts on the season, leaving him two behind league leader Alexander Ovechkin of Washington. Goalie Ty Conklin got a much needed win against Buffalo after losing three of four on the road. He currently has a 2.20 GAA in his last five games. Marc-Andre Fleury got the win over Philly and he now has won four of his last five starts for a 2.00 GAA. Their defense has not given up a goal on the penalty kill in two games. The Penguins are in fourth place in the Eastern playoff race with 89pts. They are 20-14-1-1 on the road. Get your NHL Pick in now!
The Rangers are coming off back to back road loses after they recently lost 0-3 to Tampa Bay. They are 3-1 SU in their last four at home. The Rangers need to start playing with some urgency since ninth place Buffalo is just four points back. They’ve only been able to average 1.60 GAG in their last five games and their power play has one goal in their last five games or eighteen power plays. Goalie Henrik Lundqvist has won seven of his last ten starts and he’s got a 1.80 GAA in his last five. Their defense has been bad on the penalty kill allowing a goal a game in their last three games. The Rangers are 3-2-0 against the Penguins this season, and are 3-0 SU at home against Pittsburgh, holding the Penguins to three total goals in those games. The Rangers are 22-13-0-1 at home and 13-21 over/under on home ice.
Recent Trends
- Penguins are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. Atlantic.
- Penguins are 6-0 in their last 6 Tuesday games.
- Penguins are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Penguins are 5-1 in their last 6 overall.
- Rangers are 0-4 in their last 4 Tuesday games.
- Home team is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.
- Favorite is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.
- Under is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings.
- Penguins are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings in New York.
GAME: Pittsburgh Penguins (41-24-3-4) at New York Rangers (37-26-3-6)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, March 18 – 7:00 PM EST
LINE: Betway TOTAL: 5.5
PICK: Pittsburgh 2.70
The Bottom Line: The Penguins can’t stop scoring if they tried while the Rangers can barely muster up a goal in their last five games. I like the Pens as roaddogs heading into MSG. Get your NHL Pick in now!
