For some observers the Pittsburgh Penguins were looking like a team that may finally be finished as far as being a serious Stanley Cup title contender. But the Penguins have recently reasserted themselves as one of the hottest and most profitable teams on the NHL board as well as one of the elite contenders in the game. The New York Rangers early season success has proven to be fool’s gold as the young and rebuilding Broadway Blueshirts have had a recent face to face confrontation with reality. New York has been in a bad run on the board lately leaving gamblers holding an empty bag. The Rangers host the Penguins Wednesday night on NBCSN.
NHL Betting at Bookmaker.eu
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers
Date and Time: Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 7 p.m. ET
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
NHL Betting Online Odds at Bookmaker.eu: Check Back Later
Penguins vs. Rangers TV Coverage: NBCSN
Odds Analysis
Betting action will be strong on the Penguins based on a multitude of factors. Pittsburgh won Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017 and is still considered a top tier title contender for this season. The Penguins recent success has not gone unnoticed by gamblers. Further, the Pens still boast one of the NHL’s top names in Sidney Crosby. While the Rangers do have strong name brand recognition the fact remains most hockey handicappers know they are in full rebuild mode.
Current Form
Pittsburgh has been cranking cash recently with eight payouts in their last 10 games to now stand at 20-12-4-2 with a 17-16-5 mark over the total. On the road the Penguins are 9-5-2-2 with an 8-10 mark under the total. Pittsburgh has gone over the total in just two of their last six games. The Pens are in third place in the Metropolitan Division.
The slumping Rangers have dropped seven of their last ten games to now stand at 16-14-5-2 with 19-18 over the total. At Madison Square Garden the Broadway Blueshirts are 11-4-3-2 with 8-12 under the total. The Rangers have gone over the total in eight of their last ten games. New York is now in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division.
Matchup Metrics
Pittsburgh is one of the top offensive teams in the NHL with rankings of fifth for goal scoring and sixth for the power play. Defensively the Pens have improved to rank 15th for goals against and third for the penalty kill.
The Rangers metrics have finally caught up to their recent play and overall record. New York ranks 23rd in the NHL for goal scoring and 16th for the power play while defensively they rank 24th for goals against and 27th for the penalty kill.
Goaltending Report
New York boasts future hall of famer Henrik Lundqvist between the pipes and the King has been solid with a .913 save percentage with a 2.87 goals against average. Backup Alexandar Georgiev has a .899 save percentage with a 3.20 goals against average.
Pittsburgh has split the goaltending work between Matt Murray and Casey DeSmith. DeSmith has a .926 save percentage with a 2.42 goals against average while Murray has a .906 save percentage and a 3.14 GAA. DeSmith and Murray have two shutouts each.
Players to Watch
Pittsburgh center Sidney Crosby remains one of the game’s dominant players with 17 goals, 29 assists, and a plus 16.
New York left wing Chris Kreider leads the Blueshirts with 20 goals on the season.
Free NHL Live Betting Odds Pick
The Rangers have faded badly after a deceptively good start while the Penguins have hit top form. At Madison Square Garden the Pens have paid in seven of their last nine visits. With each team going in opposite directions the Penguins rate the call at this time.
NHL Live Betting Odds Picks: Pittsburgh Penguins
NHL Score Prediction:Penguins 5, Rangers 2
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