The New York Rangers attempt to send the series back to a seventh game as they face the Pittsburgh Penguins in an elimination Game 6. It's time to continue our NHL odds series with a Rangers-Penguins Game 6 prediction and pick.
The Rangers rallied from behind to defeat the Penguins 5-3 at Madison Square Garden. Pittsburgh started well when Jake Guentzel banked a shot off goalie Igor Shesterkin to put the Penguins up 1-0. Next, Kris Letang connected off a pass from Evgeni Malkin on an odd-man rush to make it 2-0 Pittsburgh. Things turned around at the 10:46 mark in the second period when Jacob Trouba decked Sidney Crosby to the ice, which knocked the Penguins star from the game. New York began its comeback.
Adam Fox connected with a shot off the top of the crease to cut the deficit to 2-1. Over a minute later, Alexis Lafreniere found the net off a pass from Kappo Kakko to tie the game. Trouba then connected on a goal with a slick backhand shot that got past goalie Louis Domingue. The Rangers led 3-2 when Guentzel answered back with a goal off a pass from Malkin.
Filip Chyntil gave the Rangers the lead on a power-play goal off a broken play. New York held on to win 5-3. The Rangers are attempting to successfully come back from a 3-1 series deficit for the third time in franchise history. They accomplished this in 2015 against the Washington Capitals and in 2014 against the Penguins.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Rangers-Penguins NHL Playoffs odds:
NHL Playoffs Odds: Rangers-Penguins Odds
Rangers: -1.5 (+210) ML (-115)
Penguins: +1.5 (-260) ML (-104)
Over: 6.5 (+104)
Under: 6.5 (-128)
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Why The Rangers Could Cover The Spread
New York will face a Pittsburgh team without Crosby. He left Game 5 with an upper-body injury that could be a concussion. Crosby has terrorized the Rangers scoring two goals and seven assists in the series. The Penguins will miss him and need to compensate for his absence. The Rangers need to work on some things to force a Game 7. Namely, they must improve in the faceoff circle. New York won only 33 percent of its faceoffs in Game 5. Additionally, they blocked just 12 shots in front of Shesterkin,
The Rangers could use a lift from Artemi Panarin and Chris Kreider. While Panarin had an assist in Game 5, Kreider did not score. Kreider has managed two goals and two assists in this series, so his production could lift the Rangers to a seventh game. Alternatively, the Rangers got secondary scoring and plenty. Trouba had a goal and an assist, as did Lafreniere. Also, Strome and Copp each provided an assist. The Rangers completed their comeback because everyone chipped in. However, Shesterkin must perform better. The Vezina finalist did not last in either game in Pittsburgh, as the Rangers pulled him on both occasions. Now, Shesterkin can redeem himself with a stellar performance.
The Rangers will cover the spread if they do better on the draw and if they block more shots in front of Shesterkin. New York must get production from Panarin, Krieder, and Mika Zibanejad. Lastly, the Rangers need the old Shesterkin that powered them into the playoffs with elite goaltending. Shesterkin needs to weather the storm for the Rangers to steal one in Pittsburgh.
Why The Penguins Could Cover The Spread
Pittsburgh will be without its best player. However, they still have Guentzel and Malkin, and both can score. The Penguins did not convert on its three power-play chances, and it is something they have to improve upon. It worked out well for them in their extra-man attacks in Games 3 and 4, where they went 3 for 6. The trick is to keep that momentum going as they attempt to eliminate the Rangers.
The Penguins lost the hit battle in Game 5 and could stand to get more physical. Now that Crosby is out, it might loosen up the Rangers and give them the reign to skate more freely. Pittsburgh must take away New York's chances and not allow them to get loose near the net. Domingue must perform better for the Penguins to cover. He allowed four goals on 33 shots in Game 5. However, he has mostly kept the Penguins in the game throughout his tenure as he fills in for an injured Tristan Jarry. He has allowed 15 goals in his four starts and sports an unattractive .873 save percentage in his starting appearances.
The Penguins cover the spread if Malkin and Guentzel step up and fill the void left by Crosby. It would help them when they get chances on the extra-man attack. Then, Pittsburgh must play better defense to prevent New York from dominating this game.
Final Rangers-Penguins Game 6 Prediction & Pick
It is an elimination game once more for New York. However, they face a Penguins team without Crosby, and it might open them up. The game will still be close enough, and the Rangers won't blow the Penguins out of the water. Expect New York to win this game and send it back to Madison Square Garden for a deciding seventh game.
Final Rangers-Penguins Game 6 Prediction & Pick: Rangers Moneyline (-115)
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