Penguins vs Rangers Picks, Predictions, and Odds Tonight

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18 March 2023

Penguins vs Rangers Picks, Predictions, and Odds Tonight

After splitting two games in the past week, New York and Pittsburgh meet for a third time today at MSG. The Rangers are rolling and our NHL picks expect a decisive win over the Penguins.

The New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins are set to play for the second time in three nights and the third time this week. The Penguins are 1-6 in their last seven trips to MSG and the Rangers are starting to look better and better as we get closer to the end of the season.

Both teams are 6-3-1 in their last ten games, but the home team seems to always prevail when these two teams meet. This will be another game that has a playoff-type of feel, but can the Rangers continue their dominance over the Pens on home ice?

Find out my best bet in our free NHL betting picks and predictions for Rangers vs. Penguins on March 18.

Penguins vs Rangers best odds

Penguins vs Rangers picks and predictions

Everyone wants to talk about March Madness, but not as many people are going to talk about “Mika March”. Mika Zibanejad always seems to heat up this time of year and in the month of March, he has four goals and four assists in eight games, with three goals and one assist in his last two games. The Rangers go as Mika goes.

New York is 4-0-1 in its last five games and another guy that is starting to ramp his game up is the reigning Vezina-winning goalie, Igor Shesterkin. He is a perfect 4-0-0 in his last four starts, boasting a 2.19 goals against average and a .926 save percentage.

Tristan Jarry hasn’t been at his best lately, skating to a 3.84 goals against average and a .867 save percentage in his last three starts, in which he has gone 1-1-1. The Penguins have now lost two straight games, allowing 10 goals against in those games combined.

The Rangers are 8-2 in their last 10 games at home and they will keep up their strong play. I like the Rangers to defeat the Pens yet again and do so in regulation.

My best bet: Rangers 3-way moneyline (-105 at BetMGM)

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Penguins vs Rangers moneyline analysis

As usual, there is going to be a ton of emotion in this game. The teams have split both games, but the Rangers have taken three out of a possible four points.

Jarry and the Penguins' defense have not looked very strong as of late while the Rangers are starting to find their scoring touch, especially with their new first line made up of Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanjead, and Vladimir Tarasenko. These three have combined for 13 points in the last five games.

The Penguins haven’t been very consistent on the road this season, skating to a 15-14-5 record as the away team, and they will struggle once again in MSG.

Penguins vs Rangers Over/Under analysis

We have seen back-to-back relatively low-scoring games between these two teams this week, and the Under has hit in both thanks to the play of Shesterkin and Jarry.

The Rangers are continuing to get up to par in the way they’re playing in the defensive zone, really focusing on limiting their mistakes and breaking the puck out cleaner.

The Penguins are still trying to remain more consistent defensively, but the Rangers have been solid, only allowing 2.78 goals against per game.

The Under continues to be a trend when these two teams get together, and the Under has certainly been a trend for the Rangers. It’s 5-1 in their last six games following a win and I expect another low-scoring affair.