The Pittsburgh Penguins will host the New York Rangers in a Metropolitan Division matchup on Saturday afternoon. New York is in the midst of a freefall, while the Penguins are red-hot and trying to extend their winning streak on home ice. Here, I break down this matchup in the Eastern Conference and make my Rangers vs Penguins prediction in the NHL.
Our Rangers vs Penguins Pick
Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins moneyline.
Confidence: 4/5
Game Snapshot
Matchup: New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Date & Time: Saturday, January 31, 3:30 p.m. ET
Venue: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
Broadcast: ABC
Key Storylines
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Pittsburgh enters on a five-game win streak, with their defense being a huge reason for their success. Pittsburgh has allowed two or fewer goals in four straight games and they will try to extend that streak in this contest.
New York has lost two straight games and four of its last five. The Rangers most recently got swept in a two-game home-and-home series with the New York Islanders and the Rangers will try to rebound from their dismal performances against the Isles here.
Goaltending
Penguins: Stuart Skinner has provided stability since arriving via trade, carrying an 18-12-4 line this season with a 2.65 GAA and .896 save percentage entering the week.
Rangers: With Igor Shesterkin on injured reserve recently, veteran Jonathan Quick has handled the bulk of the goaltending duties. He’s listed at 4-12-2 with a 3.11 GAA and .885 save percentage this season. He is a significant downgrade from Shesterikin in net.
Key skaters
Pittsburgh: Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins with 57 points on 27 goals and 30 assists and anchors a top power play that’s clicking at 27.2%. Rickard Rakell’s finishing and Evgeni Malkin’s playmaking have helped the Pens move into second place in the Metropolitan Division, while Kris Letang’s return helps with their puck movement.
New York: Artemi Panarin continues to drive the Rangers' attack with 57 points on 19 goals and 38 assists. Mika Zibanejad sits at 23 goals to lead New York in that department.
Betting Trends & H2H
These teams are 1-1 against each other this season and the road team is 2-0 in those two matchups.
New York is 27-28 in the puckline market going into this matchup.
The Penguins are 33-19 on the puckline heading into Saturday afternoon.
Rangers vs Penguins Model Projection
Score Projection: New York Rangers 2 – Pittsburgh Penguins 4
Win Probability: New York Rangers 39%, Pittsburgh Penguins 61%
Final Thoughts
The Penguins are playing much better hockey than the Rangers of late and that should continue in this matchup from Pittsburgh. The Rangers have been held to two or fewer goals in three of their last four games, which does not bode well against a Penguins team whose defense has stepped up in a big way of late. Look for this game to go Pittsburgh's way and for New York's dismal campaign to continue with another loss.
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