Rangers vs Penguins Picks and Predictions for January 24

After two losses to open the season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have won three straight, including a come-from-behind shootout win against these same Rangers on Friday.

Jan 24, 2021 • 15:45 ET
New York Rangers Alexis Lafreniere Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby NHL
Photo By - USA TODAY Sports

After starting the season with a pair of losses, the Pittsburgh Penguins will look to make it four wins in a row when they play the New York Rangers, who have begun the 2021 season at 1-2-1.

The Penguins won the first game of this two-game set in a 4-3 shootout on Friday, needing to overcome a 3-1 second-period deficit to do so. The Pens’ lack of defense has helped them start the NHL betting season 5-0 O/U.

NHL odds have the home team as a -135 favorite, with the total opening at 6.5 and shaded to the Over.

Here are our free picks and predictions for New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins for Sunday, January 24 (7:00 pm ET).

New York Rangers at Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview

Injuries

Rangers: Kevin Rooney C (Questionable).
Penguins: Marcus Pettersson D (Out), Mike Matheson D (Out), Zach Aston-Reese LW (Out).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.

Betting Trend to Know

The Over is 5-0 in the Penguins’ last five games. Find more NHL betting trends for Rangers vs. Penguins.

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NHL Sharp Money and Line Movement Report

By Patrick Everson

Pittsburgh opened -142 on the moneyline at FanDuel and dipped to -134 late Saturday night, but as of 3:45 p.m. ET, the Penguins are back to -142. Ticket count is 3/1 and money 2/1 on the Pens for this 7 p.m. ET puck drop. The total opened at 6.5 (Over -125), with the price first rising to -130, then dropping to -110 flat, and it's now -120. The Over is taking 56 percent of bets and 75 percent of money.

Check out the full line movement for this game

Moneyline Pick

Betting on the Penguins has not been an easy thing this year, despite them being the favorite in four of their five games. Pittsburgh has had to come from behind in each of its last three victories and twice has had to overcome two-goal deficits.

Pittsburgh may have collected six points in its last three games, but it has yet to own a lead heading into the third period and has needed a pair of shootout wins – and a Sidney Crosby OT winner – to pick up the trio of Ws.

New York shouldn’t have a problem staying competitive in this one, with 11 goals over its last three games. The Rangers had a 61 percent chance of winning Friday’s game but penalties helped erase New York’s 3-1 second-period lead.

This is a young New York team that is loaded with offensive talent and will have some ups-and-downs throughout the year, but we will take +115 against a team that has shown zero commitment on the defensive end every day. The Rangers have collected five of a possible six points over the last three matchups.

Even the NYR first-period ML (+105) is looking appetizing as the Pens are 1-4 SU in the first frame and have given up 10 first-period goals.

PREDICTION: New York Rangers ML (+115) and NYR first period ML (+105)

Over/Under Pick

Both teams are a combined 7-2 O/U, which includes a perfect 5-0 O/U from Pittsburgh. The Pens have been playing consistently poor on the defensive end, as their opponents have scored at least three goals in each game. Pittsburgh owns a 4.20 goals-against average (29th in the league) and has been giving up goals at even strength too often with 15 5x5 goals conceded across five games.

The Pittsburgh special teams play has also been aiding its early Over success. The penalty kill is near the bottom of the league at 73.7 percent, while the powerplay has scored three times over the last two games and is firing at a 28 percent clip.

Evgeni Malkin, who was held pointless through the Pens’ first three games, has now collected a point in back-to-back games and could be starting to heat up. The Pens’ offense is running four lines deep—with No. 4 center Teddy Blueger picking up a goal in Friday’s match and is now second on the team in scoring with four points.

The Rangers had plenty of chances in Friday’s game and finished with a 3.51 expected goals for, per Moneypuck. New York is tough for any coach to matchup against as the Rags are rolling out three lines with a lot of individual offensive talent. As Friday showed, each team is capable of potting three goals which is exactly what we want when choosing an Over 6.5.

Neither teams’ goalies have been announced but with Pittsburgh, it doesn’t really matter as Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith have been equally unimpressive. The Rangers have to choose between Alexandar Georgiev, who was pulled two games ago, or Igor Shesterkin, who has allowed seven goals through two starts.

PREDICTION: Over 6.5 (-115)

Rangers vs Penguins Betting Card

  • New York Rangers ML (+115)
  • NYR first period ML (+105)
  • Over 6.5 (-115)
NHL Parlays

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