NHL Playoff Betting: NY Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins

May 01, 2008 | By Adam McLean | Picks Articles Archive

It’s do or die time for the N.Y. Rangers tonight as they get set to host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden. The Pens have a commanding 3-0 series lead and they have the chance at completing back to back sweeps. Oddsmakers at BetUS.com has the Penguins as 120-moneyline favs over the Rangers +100 with the over/under set at 5 ½ goals. Get your NHL Playoff Betting in now at BetUS.com where real players play.

GAME: Pittsburgh Penguins (54-27-4-4) at New York Rangers (46-30-5-9)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, May 01 - 7:00 PM EST
LINE: BetUS.com TOTAL: 5.5
PICK: Rangers +100

The Penguins haven’t lost a game yet and their looking for their second consecutive series sweep. They are a perfect 3-0 SU on the road where they’ve outscored their opponents 12-5. The Pens are 6-1 SU as favorites, they were underdogs in their last game, at MSG, and they proved all oddsmakers wrong. The Pens are averaging 3.80 GAG during their last five and their power play has scored in all playoff games except Game 1 against the Ottawa Sens. Marc-Andre Fleury has been outstanding in net going 7-0 SU with a 1.72 GAA and two shutouts. He’s allowed 12 goals in seven games, the best of any goalie in the playoffs. Evgeni Malkin leads the Pens with five goals and he also leads with 13pts while Crosby is close behind with 12pts.

The Rangers received a scare Wednesday when agitator Sean Avery was checked into the hospital with a ruptured spleen. He will not play tonight and is expected to remain in hospital for a few days. Avery had four goals and three assists in eight playoff games. The Rangers just can’t seem to figure out the Pens as they’ve been outscored 7-12 during their series. They haven’t scored a power play goal in two straight games, or 11 tries, but their penalty kill has allowed four goals in three games, or 13 kills. They out blasted the Pens in shots on net with 39 shots to the Pens 17. Goalie Henrik Lundqvist stopped 12 of 17 shots for a .706 SVPCT. He is now 4-4 with a 2.87 GAA and he’s allowed 23 goals to enter his net. It is crucial that they don’t take penalties, as the combination of Crosby and Malkin has proved deadly. The Rangers are 1-3 SU during their last four at home.

Recent Trends to Consider

Penguins are 6-0 in their last 6 games following a win.
Penguins are 6-0 in their last 6 playoff games as a favorite.
Penguins are 5-0 in their last 5 Conference Semifinals games.
Penguins are 7-0 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
Rangers are 0-5 in their last 5 Conference Semifinals games.
Rangers are 0-5 in their last 5 games as a home underdog.
Home team is 19-7 in the last 26 meetings.
Penguins are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings in New York.

The Bottom Line: The Pens haven’t had the greatest luck at MSG going 1-5 SU. The Rangers have to at least take one away from the Pens. Get your NHL Playoff Betting in now at BetUS.com where real players play.

NHL Playoff Betting: NY Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins

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