The New York Rangers (1-2) and Pittsburgh Penguins (2-1) meet for Game 4 of their 1st-round Eastern Conference playoff series Monday at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. The Penguins lead the series 2-1. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we look at the Rangers vs. Penguins odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Rangers haven’t had difficulty scoring goals, lighting the lamp 12 times through the first three games. Unfortunately, New York has allowed 13 goals so far in the series, including a 7-4 setback in Game 3.
The Pens chased Igor Shesterkin after totaling four goals in the first 20 minutes in Game 3. The third-string backstop Louis Domingue came on in relief for the win in Game 1, and he made 32 saves on 36 shots in Game 3 for the victory.
Rangers at Penguins odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rangers -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Penguins -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-320) | Penguins -1.5 (+210)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +110 | U: -135)
Rangers at Penguins projected goalies
Igor Shesterkin (36-13-4, 2.07 GAA, .935 SV%, 6 SO – regular season) vs. Louis Domingue (1-1-0, 2.02 GAA, .952 SV%, 0 SO – regular season)
Shesterkin stopped 118 shots in the first two games, and he made 11 saves on 15 shots in the first period of Game 3 before getting pulled in favor of Alexandar Georgiev. There’s no way the Rangers get away from Shesterkin for Game 4, however.
Domingue has been good enough to help the Pens to a 2-1 series lead, which is nothing short of spectacular, considering he is the third-string netminder. He stopped 32 of 36 shots in the 7-4 victory in Game 3.
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Rangers at Penguins picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 5, Penguins 3
Money line
The RANGERS (-110) should bounce back with a Game 4 victory. Shesterkin has been Vezina quality so far this season, and New York will get his best to help even the series 2-2 and send it back to Madison Square Garden for a pivotal Game 5.
Against the spread
The Rangers +1.5 (-320) would cost you over three times your potential return, and that’s just not a sound long-term betting strategy. If you like New York, and you should, just play them on the money line.
AVOID.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (+110) is the play here.
Shesterkin will be better, and I expect New York to pick up the win. But I am still not sold on Domingue being the man. While yes, the Pens won in the third overtime in Game 1 in relief, and in Game 3, Domingue is still shaky. He allowed four goals in Game 3 and five goals in Game 2. The Pens backstop is going to give up plenty, making the Over the best bet.
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