| The Pittsburgh Penguins will be trying to solidify their hold on top spot in the NHL’s Eastern Conference when they visit the New York Rangers Monday at Madison Square Garden.
The Rangers, meanwhile, will just be trying to hold on to a playoff spot in the crowded Eastern Conference standings.
This is the second game of a back-to-back, home-and-home series, as the Penguins beat the Rangers 3-1 last night in Pittsburgh. The Penguins were a -150 favorite, and the score went under the total of 5½.
The teams are dead-even over the past 10 head-to-head matchups, each going 5-4-0-1. The total has gone under in 10 of the past 14 meetings.
Pittsburgh (46-26-7) has won three straight. In their previous game, the Penguins beat the New York Islanders 3-1 at home last Thursday.
The Rangers’ (40-27-11) beat the New Jersey Devils 3-2 at home, also last Thursday.
Pittsburgh is expected to start Marc-Andre Fleury in net, while New York will again go with Henrik Lundqvist.
Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its past six, and 2-4 SU in its past six against the Rangers. The total has gone under in four of Pittsburgh's past five.
New York is 5-1 SU in its past six at home against Pittsburgh, and are 7-2 SU in its past nine at home. The total has gone under in eight of the Rangers’ past 11.
The game starts at 7 pm ET and can be seen on VERSUS in the U.S. and TSN in Canada.
BETTING LINE: The Rangers are a -135 moneyline favorite at Bodog and the over/under total is 5½.
BETTING CONSENSUS: Bettors seem divided – about 52 per cent of wagers on this NHL matchup are on a New York win. |
