Rangers Bigger Favorites
After a heartbreaking three-overtime loss in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series, the New York Rangers return for Game 2 as even bigger favorites against the Pittsburgh Penguins on the NHL betting odds. The Rangers could have won Game 1 if not for a controversial goalie interference call that sent the game to overtime. The younger Rangers could exact revenge against the Penguins on Thursday.
Let’s check the latest NHL lines, stats, injury reports, and NHL odds for Rangers vs Penguins. We’ve plenty of NHL picks and predictions.
Penguins and Last Dance
Talks of the demise of Evgeni Malkin and the Pittsburgh Penguins were greatly exaggerated. Yes, we and smarter analysts have picked the New York Rangers over the Penguins, but we can’t keep overestimating three-time Stanley Cup champion Malkin and his crew.
Malkin: “We know we can win every game if we play right. We play smart. We play hard. I think we deserved to win tonight.” pic.twitter.com/BMvu0dxCKy
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 4, 2022
The Penguins outshot the Rangers 83-68 and controlled the puck more despite finding themselves in their own zone for nearly two-thirds of the game. But other than Malkin, it were the usual suspects keeping Pittsburgh ahead: Sidney Crosby’s line.
The all-time great had a pair of helpers for Jake Guentzel while Bryan Rust scored the game-tying goal late in the third via a power-play. But after playing a marathon of a game, the “old” Penguins will need to dig deep as they return to the scene of the crime against an antsy Rangers team.
Rangers Could Be Angry
Credit to the New York Rangers as they are not blaming the controversial call as the reason for their Game 1 loss. Instead, the Rangers will move on to Game 2 and look to properly finish off the Penguins as the betting favorites on the online sportsbook.
Igor Shesterkin should return to the crease after pulling off one of the greatest performances by a goaltender. However, with the loss, Shesterkin has now dropped his last three starts in net. The 26-year-old had only lost two straight games once in his last 42 games — a stretch from November to April!
For the Rangers, they will also need to find a way to solve Louis Domingue. The third-stringer came in as emergency relief for Casey DeSmith in the second overtime and stopped all 17 of New York’s shots. The Rangers’ top line got outplayed and will need more production from the rest of the lineup if they are to put down the testy Penguins.
Penguins vs Rangers Head-to-Head
The New York Rangers’ price tag moved from -120 to -150 on the betting lines despite the loss. However, they have dropped four of their last five games. The Rangers still have a solid 3-0-1 record against the Pittsburgh Penguins this season.
Penguins vs Rangers Game Information
- Game: Penguins (47-25-11) vs Rangers (52-24-7)
- Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City
- Day/Time: Thursday, May 5th, 7 p.m. ET
- Penguins vs Rangers Live stream: NHL.TV
Penguins vs Rangers Betting Lines
Penguins vs Rangers Prediction
We are doubling down on the New York Rangers for Game 2. While this team has a lot of work to do in neutralizing the Pittsburgh Penguins’ big guns, the Rangers are still the more potent offensive team with a better goaltender. It also feels like these teams are on the second night of a back-to-back given their triple-overtime marathon.
By these conditions, the Penguins are 3-2-3 while the Rangers are 8-5-1. New York has a better record and has more experience playing with no rest. So we expect the younger and hungrier Rangers to put up a better performance here as they should outlast Pittsburgh. Bet online on the Rangers.
