NHL odds: Penguins vs. Rangers

By Jordan Walters
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Sports Betting at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook

Look no further than lack of power-play success as to why the New York Rangers head back to the Big Apple for tonight's Game 3 against the Penguins down 2-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinal; New York is a -150 money line betting favorite (over/under: 5) on WagerWeb.com for Tuesday's game.

The Penguins have allowed only two power-play goals in 22 opportunities in six playoff games, all of them victories.

The Rangers were 4-for-17 on the power play in the five-game series against the Devils but are only 1-for-9 - Martin Straka's opening goal of this series Friday - in the first two games against Pittsburgh. Not only did the Rangers slide back into their perimeter-passing game, but they couldn't control the puck for long stretches.

The Penguins have allowed only 14 power-play goals on 94 chances since Feb. 26, a kill-rate of 85.1 percent. Their 90.9 playoff percentage rates behind only Detroit's 93.6 "They're hunting pucks down well, working hard," Rangers coach Tom Renney said of the Penguins' penalty-killers. "It's good work habits on their part."

In the first game of this series, the Penguins outlasted the Rangers in an evening of fire-wagon hockey, 5-4. Then in Game 2, they beat the Rangers at their own game, tightening down the defensive hatches, nursing a one-goal lead into the third period and then killing off two late Rangers power plays for a 2-0 win. That win included no points and only three shots from star Sidney Crosby.

 

"That's one thing about our team, we can do it both ways," said Pittsburgh's Jordan Staal. "We're great defensively, we're solid on both sides of the puck. This team really seems to find ways to win and that's what we did today. This team has matured so much, especially from last year."

Maybe home ice will save this series for the Rangers - the Penguins don't often play well in Madison Square Garden, not winning there in regulation since 2006; they were 0-3-1 this season there.

"It's the playoffs, everything can change in a minute, all series, and let's hope for it," Rangers captain Jaromir Jagr said.

In those games in Manhattan this season, the Penguins scored only five goals on a paltry 92 shots against oaltender Henrik Lundqvist (a .946 save percentage) as their power play went 1 for 16 (6.3 percent) in the four games, and they are only 3-7-2 over the past three seasons at MSG.

"The most important thing is that we stay confident right now," Lundqvist said. "We know we can beat them, no question. But they're a very good team, and you can't hand them much because they will make you pay for it, and hopefully, we can play better at home and feel more confident and put more pressure in front of their net and score more goals."

New York will have to solve Pens goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who has yet to lose in the postseason.

His 6-0 mark includes an impressive 1.51 GAA and .944 save percentage. In four of the six matches he has given up one goal or fewer. Since he came back from his high ankle sprain in late February, Fleury has started 19 games and has only lost three of them.

Betting trends: Pens are 7-1 in their last 8 Tuesday games. ... Under is 8-2 in Pens' last 10 games following a win. ... Under is 7-2 in Pens' last 9 vs. Atlantic. ... Rangers are 9-4 in their last 13 home games. ... Home team is 19-7 in the last 26 meetings.