2011 NHL Hockey Free Predictions: Penguins vs Rangers
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Pittsburgh Penguins (31-15-4) at NY Rangers (29-20-3)
Date/Time: Tuesday, February 1, 2011, 7:30 PM ET
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Broadcast: VERSUS (HD), TSN2 (HD)
Penguins vs. Rangers Betting Lines from Bodog.com
Spread: OFF
Moneyline: Penguins +105: Rangers -125
Over/Under: 5 goals
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Two teams that currently occupy Eastern Conference playoff positions meet at MSG on Tuesday night to officially kick off the second half of the season. Both teams have been playing without key members of their offense but both just may get a shot in the arm for Tuesday’s tilt. Evgeni Malkin skated on Monday and could possibly return to action while Ryan Callahan appears good to go.
Pittsburgh’s post Crosby record has actually been OK (6-3-1) but the offensive output has really gone south. After averaging 3.3 goals per game during the season, the Pens have now slipped to 3.0 goals per game thanks to a nine game stretch in which they averaged just 2.11 goals per game. Nobody is lighting it up for the Penguins but hopes are that the impending return of Malkin and later Crosby will spark a rather dull offensive club.
The Penguins have ridden the hot goaltending of All Star Marc-Andre Fleury this season and he has been especially important through the team’s injury woes. He is 5-0-0 in his last five starts with a sparkling 1.40 goals against average.
The New York Rangers are another banged up group that has been forced to ice a bunch of minor leaguers to fill their roster. The good news for the Rangers is that Ryan Callahan appears ready to return and spark the league’s 14th ranked offense (2.8 goals per game).Marion Gaborik is finally rounding into form with seven points in his last five games, newly acquired Wojtek Wolski has seven points in seven games and unheralded Mats Zuccarello has three points in two games.
Goaltending has been typically strong for the Rangers – they are 5th in the NHL in goals against and boast two goaltenders that are playing very well at present. Henrik Lundqvist has been outstanding and his backup Martin Biron is 2-2-0 with a 1.73 goals against average in his last four starts. Lundqvist is the man and will likely start.
Betting Prediction: The Pittsburgh Penguins are 14-6-3 on the road this season and have won the last four games at MSG. The Pens are 9-3 in the last 12 meetings with New York overall.
The Under is 7-1 in Pittsburgh’s last eight road games and is 3-0 so far this season between the two clubs. Overall, the Under is 20-8-1 between the Penguins and Rangers in their last 29 games.
The road team is 7-0 in the last seven games between the two sides.
This will be a goaltending duel for sure. I like Pittsburgh’s ability to score a lot more than New York’s and therefore will lean toward the road team. Add in the fact that the Rangers are a poor 12-11-1 at home this season and this pick is clear to me.
Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins +105
