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Penguins vs. Rangers Prediction and Odds (New York Looking to Win Season Series)

By Iain MacMillan

The Penguins head to Madison Square Garden to take on the Rangers on Thursday night.
The Penguins head to Madison Square Garden to take on the Rangers on Thursday night. / Bruce Bennett/GettyImages
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The eight playoff teams in the NHL's Eastern Conference have been decided for almost the entire season, but the race for seeding in the Metropolitan Division is still very much alive.

Only six points separate the first place Hurricanes from the third place Penguins, and the Rangers are sitting just two points back from Carolina for the top spot. Because of that, there are some key games going down tonight. The Hurricanes will host the Sabres, and the Rangers are hosting the Penguins.

The Rangers are 2-1 against the Penguins this season, and tonight's game will serve as the regular season finale.

Let's take a look at the odds via WynnBET Sportsbook.

Penguins vs. Rangers Odds and Total

Moneyline:

  • Penguins -115
  • Rangers -105

Puck line:

  • Penguins +1.5 (-270)
  • Rangers -1.5 (+220)

Total:

  • 5.5 (Over -125/Under +105)

Penguins vs. Rangers Betting Trends

  • The UNDER is 9-4 in the Penguins' last 13 road games.
  • Penguins are 2-5 in their last seven games.
  • Rangers are 5-2 in their last seven games.
  • The OVER is 13-7 in the last 20 meetings between these teams.
  • Rangers are 14-6 in their last 20 home games.

Penguins vs. Rangers Prediction and Pick

The story has been the same for the Rangers all season. A bet on the Rangers is a bet on Igor Shesterkin, who is a shoe-in for the Vezina Trophy and a legitimate Hart Trophy candidate. There's not much else to love about the Rangers from an analytical standpoint. They're 17th in expected goals per 60 minutes, 16th in high danger scoring chances, and 14th in CORSI%.

Meanwhile the Penguins rank in the top 10 in all three of those stats over their last 25 games. Sure, the Rangers got the better of them in their two matchups last month, but if you're wagering on New York, you're banking on Shesterkin having another lights-out performance.

Don't get me wrong, it's certainly possible, Shesterkin has stood on his head all season, but I just can't look past the Rangers' overall numbers as a team.

Pick: Penguins -115

You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.

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