The New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins will meet for the first time since last year’s epic first-round playoff series where the Rangers came back from a 3-1 series deficit to win in overtime of Game 7.
There will be a ton of emotion in this game carrying over from last year, and both teams are playing good hockey right now. The Pens have won seven out of their last eight games and New York is currently on fire, riding a seven-game winning streak of its own.
Which team will stay hot? Find out in our NHL betting picks and predictions for the Rangers vs. Predators on December 20.
Rangers vs Penguins best odds
Rangers vs Penguins picks and predictions
The Pittsburgh Penguins had their own seven-game win streak snapped in their most recent outing against the Carolina Hurricanes, and now they'll try to play spoiler on the New York Rangers. This could be considered a rivalry reborn after last year’s playoffs, so I expect there to be a mountain of intensity.
The Rangers had a ton of success against the Pens in the regular season last year, winning the last three meetings in a row, and outscoring them 11-3 in those three games.
During their current win streak, New York's offensive production has absolutely exploded — scoring 32 goals in the seven-game span.
The Kid Line — made up of Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafreniere, and Filip Chytil — has really sparked this group, but Chytil took a very tough hit in the last game and is questionable to play in this contest. That being said, the Rangers have been getting offensive contributions from everyone in their lineup and that is what’s giving them so much success.
Despite Pittsburgh's streak being snapped at seven, it has looked very strong defensively which has been its key to success. In their last eight games, the Pens have only allowed 16 goals against, so the Rangers' forwards will have to work extra hard to produce.
Igor Shesterkin has only allowed a goal a game in three out of his last four starts and has won six straight games. It’s hard not to ride the hot goalie in New York right now and I think he will carry this to another win and extend the streak to eight.
My best bet: Rangers moneyline (+125 at BetMGM)
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Rangers vs Penguins moneyline analysis
It definitely isn’t so easy to pick a side in this contest with how strong both of these teams have been as of late, but with that being said, I think there is a ton of value in taking the Rangers as an underdog. It’s not often you get a team that’s on a seven-game win streak listed as a dog, especially when in recent history, New York has gotten the best of the Penguins — winning seven of the last 10 meetings.
Tristan Jarry deserves a ton of respect for how well he has played in goal for Pittsburgh, entering this game with a 14-3-3 record to go along with a .921 SV% and 2.63 GAA. I have a ton of respect for him, but during the Rangers' win streak, Shesterkin has just looked absolutely incredible and in a game like this, I think he will be the x-factor.
I think it’s going to be a very close game, but ultimately I can rely on Shesterkin more than Jarry.
Rangers vs Penguins Over/Under analysis
I’d like to think that rivalry games are typically low scoring, but this one feels different. Both of these teams have strong goaltending, that’s for sure, but they also have some elite offensive talent on either side. These are two of the top offensive teams in the league — not only at even strength — but also on the man advantage.
The Penguins have been buzzing on the power play, scoring a goal on the man advantage in eight straight games while the Rangers have scored on five of their last 11 attempts.
The difficult part is that both teams have somewhat opposite trends. New York's last four games against divisional opponents have all gone Over, but the Under is 4-0-2 in Pittsburgh's last six overall. That being said, the Over is 13-3-3 in the last 19 contests between these two teams in PA.
Even though this is a strong goalie matchup, I think the goal-scoring trend will continue, I like the Over.
Rangers vs Penguins betting trend to know
The Rangers are 7-0 SU in their last seven. Find more NHL betting trends for Rangers vs Penguins.
Rangers vs Penguins game info
| Location: | PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Date: | Tuesday, December 20, 2022 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | MSG, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh |
