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2016 NHL Futures – Series Picks
Looking for Rangers vs. Penguins free series predictions & playoff picks? You’ve come to the right place if you’re searching for NHL Futures. It almost seems like it wouldn’t be an NHL Playoffs without the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins meeting. Cappers Picks covers all 2016 NHL Playoff series – so check back as we’ll be adding more.
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NHL Betting – New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins First Round Series Preview and Picks
This will mark the 3rd straight season the two teams will meet up. Pittsburgh started the season off with many uncertainties as it looked like this team would struggle to make the playoffs.
That however ended up being not the case as they were the hottest team in the NHL down the stretch of the season. New York continued to battle injuries, but they never gave up their spot as they continued to win, especially inside MSG.
The Pens roster is in question thanks to their compliment of injuries. Will that hurt them? Is New York too much for them to handle? Let’s break it down.
Rangers vs. Penguins Series Lines
N.Y. Rangers: OFF
Pittsburgh Penguins: OFF (Series Price Dependant on Injury Statuses)
N.Y. Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Series Schedule
- WED APR 13, 2016 RANGERS PENGUINS 8:00 PM ROOT, USA, SN, TVAS2
- SAT APR 16, 2016 RANGERS PENGUINS 3:00 PM CBC, NBC, TVAS
- TUE APR 19, 2016 PENGUINS RANGERS 7:00 PM ROOT, USA, TVAS, SN
- THU APR 21, 2016 PENGUINS RANGERS TBD ROOT
- SAT APR 23, 2016 RANGERS PENGUINS TBD
- MON APR 25, 2016 PENGUINS RANGERS TBD ROOT
- WED APR 27, 2016 RANGERS PENGUINS TBD ROOT
N.Y. Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Series Forwards
Obviously the Pittsburgh Penguins forwards are headlined by Sydney Crosby. The star forward has plenty of potential to shift the complete momentum in the series, but will he have support along side with him is the real question.
Evgeni Malkin has always been such a threat along side Crosby, but he’s been battling an upper body injury and his status is in serious question for this first round matchup. His health could depend how successful the Penguins really are.
For the Rangers it all comes down to Derick Brassard and Derek Stepan. Brassard especially has he put up 58 points this year with 21 goals and 31 assists. With Stepan alongside him, this causes plenty of nightmares for the opposing defensemen.
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Stepan put in 22 goals himself this year, which was a career high, as this duo has the ability to really shift the game with one attack.
Verdict: There is just a lot of questions with the Penguins right now and having to deal with Malkin not being 100% or not even playing at all, that’s tough to overcome.
The pressure will certainly be on Crosby and for him to find some help, but with how many weapons the Rangers have up front, give the edge to them here.
N.Y. Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Series Forwards Defense and Goaltending
Kris Letang headlines the Penguins defense and with him on the same line as Crosby, this gives Pittsburgh a lot of options. Letang can not only play stellar defense, but he also has the ability to find the back of the net.
Next to him is Trevor Daley, who replaced Olli Maatta who was injured earlier this year.
Daley and Letang immediately found that chemistry that so many defensive pairs look for, which has made them deadly in the back.
Combine that with their ability to find the back of the net offensively and they are a nightmare. Goalie is the biggest concern right now for the Pens.
Marc-Andre Fleury continues to battle concussions and while he has been cleared to practice, he hasn’t been cleared for game situations. If he can’t go, the Pens are in a whole world of trouble.
The Rangers have a lot of question marks themselves in the back.
Their top two defensemen could be out. Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi both missed the last few games of the season and are still not cleared to go. Should these two not go, the Rangers will look for Kevin Klein and Marc Staal to really step up and be difference makers.
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These two have done that on many occasions, but they still don’t compare to what McDonagh and Girardi have to offer.
In goal, Henrik Lundqvist brings the experience and dominance to postseason play. He’s started 111 playoff games and has 54 wins and a 2.22 GAA. He has the ability to completely change a series and can really fluster the opposition.
Verdict: The Rangers with Lundqvist are just too talented in the back. McDonagh and Girardi are two key pieces this team cannot have miss the entire postseason by any means. However, with the depth they have, it does give them a chance to survive one, possibly two rounds.
Rangers vs. Penguins Free Series Predictions:
The injuries the Penguins have to key players is a lot. Malkin and Fleury are two big names that a team simply can’t win without.
Granted they aren’t ruled out yet, but it also means they won’t be at 100%. Give the edge to the Rangers here, as they have the more talented team and the depth to overcome the key missing pieces.
Rangers in 6
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