In this article we will formulate a Pittsburgh Penguins vs NY Rangers prediction for this NHL game on Wednesday, October 9th at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins were 38-32-12 last season, which was good for 88 points and fifth in the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins were battling in the Eastern Conference Wild Card race, but they fell just short. Pittsburgh played decently well down the stretch last year, as they were able to win eight of their last 12 games. Tristan Jarry is expected to be the starting goalie after a very good 2023-24 season, while Sidney Crosby returns after scoring 42 goals and 52 assists.
Pittsburgh went 4-3 during the preseason this year, with wins against Ottawa, Detroit, and Columbus (twice). The Penguins opened the season with two losses against Buffalo, but they finished by winning four of their last five.
NY Rangers Betting Preview
The New York Rangers went 55-23-4 last season and finished with 114 points, which was good for first in the Metropolitan Division. New York was one of the top teams in the NHL all season and made a deep run in the playoffs. The Rangers defeated the Capitals and Hurricanes in the postseason, but lost to the Florida Panthers in six games. Igor Shesterkin is still one of the best goalies in the world, while Artemi Panarin returns after scoring 49 goals and 71 assists last year.
New York went 4-2 in the preseason this year, with wins over Boston (twice), the Islanders, and New Jersey. The Rangers won their first three games of the preseason, but did go 1-2 in their last three.
Why the Rangers will beat the Penguins
- The Rangers have won each of their last nine Wednesday games as favorites.
- The Penguins have lost three of their last four games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Rangers have covered the puck line in each of their last eight road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last three games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Rangers have won the first period in five of their last six games as road favorites.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Rangers’ last five night games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Four of the last five night games between the Rangers and Penguins have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Four of the last five games between teams from the same division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last 14 home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last four games as road favorites.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Sidney Crosby has scored the last goal in each of the Penguins’ last three games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Drew O’Connor has scored a goal in five of the Penguins’ last six night games at PPG Paints Arena.
- Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one assist in each of the Penguins’ last seven night games at PPG Paints Arena.
- Bryan Rust has recorded at least one point in each of his last nine home appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
New York Rangers Player Prop Facts
- Chris Kreider has scored a goal in five of the Rangers’ last six games as road favorites.
- Mika Zibanejad has recorded at least one assist in each of the Rangers’ last 10 games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Adam Fox has recorded at least one point in each of the Rangers’ last 11 games as favorites against the Penguins.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs NY Rangers Prediction
New York comes into this season trying to reload for another great season and a deep playoff run, while the Penguins try to make their way back to the playoffs after missing last season. Pittsburgh was a very competitive team last year, but I do worry about their aging core. New York has the advantage in most of the categories in this matchup and while I don’t love backing a road team in the first game of the season, I think the Rangers are the better team by far. Take New York here.