The New York Rangers (1-2-1) and Pittsburgh Penguins (3-2-0) clash for the second time in three days at PPG Paints Arena. Sunday’s puck drop will be at 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Rangers-Penguins NHL odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Rangers at Penguins: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:10 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rangers +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Penguins -135 (bet $100 to win $140)
- Against the spread/ATS: Rangers +1.5 (-250) | Penguins -1.5 (+190)
- Over/Under: 6.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Rangers at Penguins: Projected starting goalies
Igor Shesterkin (0-1-1, .899 SV%, 2.95 GAA) vs. Tristan Jarry (1-2-0, .821 SV%, 5.28 GAA)
Shesterkin took the shootout loss against the Penguins Friday after allowing 3 goals on 28 shots in regulation time. He had previously stopped all 8 shots he faced in relief of Alexandar Georgiev Tuesday.
Jarry picked up his first win of the season Friday while stopping 31 of 34 shots in regulation. He didn’t face the Rangers during his breakout 2019-20 season when he posted a much better .921 save percentage and 2.43 goals against average in 33 total appearances.
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Rangers at Penguins: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Penguins 4, Rangers 3
Money line (ML)
The PENGUINS (-135) should complete a two-game sweep of the Rangers. New York outshot Pittsburgh 34-28 Friday, but total shot attempts at 5-on-5, including blocked and missed shots, were nearly equal and the Penguins registered two more scoring chances at full strength. The teams exchanged power-play goals with the Rangers going 1-for-4 and the Pens going 1-for-2.
Defense and goaltending are still major issues for the Penguins, but Jarry should be given the edge in this matchup with Shesterkin.
Against the spread (ATS)
PASS on the puck line. The single goal of insurance in the event of a Rangers loss is too expensive and there is little reason to trust the Penguins to win by 2 or more goals. Their last three victories were decided in either overtime or a shootout.
The last three games between the Penguins and Rangers dating back to April 2019 have gone to extra time with two decided in overtime and Friday’s contest going to the skills competition. Seven of the last 10 head-to-head clashes have been decided by a single goal with a total of five games going beyond 60 minutes.
Expect another tight decision. TIE (+300) on the 3-way alternate line could be considered at a decent value. It cashes if this game goes to a shootout.
Over/Under (O/U)
The Penguins remain very shorthanded on defense and those injuries have contributed to Jarry’s poor start. It’s also a reason why Pittsburgh is 5-0 against the Over/Under on the season with a total of at least 7 goals scored in all five of its games.
Take the OVER 6.5 (-115) until we see some better play from either of these clubs.
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