NY Rangers (27-25-4) at Pittsburgh (23-26-9)
- When: Feb 23 2025, 3:30 PM
- Where: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- TV: TNT
Game Preview
New York Rangers Favored at -140, Total Set at 6.0
Both the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins had disastrous returns to NHL action on Saturday, suffering lopsided losses. Now, less than 24 hours later, they square off in Pittsburgh with an opportunity to shake off the rust and get back on track.
The Rangers enter this matchup as the -140 moneyline favorites, looking to rebound from an 8-2 thrashing at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres. Meanwhile, the Penguins were competitive for two periods against Washington before completely unraveling in an 8-3 home loss. With both teams desperate to respond, this sets up as a crucial game in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
New York Rangers: Urgent Need to Regain Momentum
New York came out flat against Buffalo, allowing five goals in the first period alone, and never managed to recover. While some of the struggles can be attributed to rust following the NHL’s two-week break, the defensive breakdowns were alarming. J.T. Miller, who had two assists in the loss, admitted that the team left its goalies completely exposed and needs to clean up its effort on the back end.
Despite the embarrassing loss, the Rangers have been one of the more consistent teams this season, sitting just three points ahead of Pittsburgh in the Metropolitan Division standings and four points behind the Eastern Conference wild-card leaders. A quick turnaround should help them put Saturday’s disaster behind them, and with a solid road record, they’ll be confident heading into this matchup.
New York’s special teams remain a bright spot, with Chris Kreider tying the franchise record for power-play goals (116) in the previous game. If they can stay disciplined defensively and capitalize on their opportunities with the man advantage, the Rangers are in a strong position to pick up two points.
Rangers Betting Trends:
New York is 5-2 in its last seven road games
The Under has hit in five of the Rangers’ last seven matchups
The Rangers have lost three straight games against divisional opponents
Pittsburgh Penguins: Desperate for Consistency
The Penguins didn’t fall apart right away against Washington but eventually suffered one of their worst home losses of the season. At one point, they trailed just 3-2 and were outshooting the Capitals, but defensive breakdowns and a lack of composure led to five unanswered goals against.
Head coach Mike Sullivan didn’t hold back in his postgame comments, criticizing the team for chasing offense instead of playing disciplined hockey. It was a repeat of the same issues that plagued Pittsburgh earlier this season, when they suffered a six-game losing streak and dug themselves into an early-season hole.
One of the few bright spots was Sidney Crosby, who continues to be a steady presence. His goal against Washington brought him to 610 career goals, tying him with Bobby Hull for 18th all-time in NHL history. While Crosby remains reliable, the Penguins are still last in the Metropolitan Division, and if they don’t find some consistency soon, their playoff hopes will continue to fade.
Penguins Betting Trends:
The Under has hit in four of Pittsburgh’s last six games
The Penguins are 1-5 in their last six home games
Pittsburgh has allowed five or more goals in four of its last seven games
Game Prediction & Best Bets
Both teams need a response, but the Rangers are in a better position to bounce back. Their special teams, overall depth, and ability to win on the road give them the advantage. The Penguins have struggled with defensive lapses, and against a New York team that thrives on capitalizing on mistakes, that’s a major concern.
Expect the Rangers to control the pace early and force Pittsburgh into difficult situations, leading to a much-needed New York victory.
Best Bets:
Rangers Moneyline (-140) – New York has been strong on the road, and Pittsburgh is struggling at home.
Under 6.0 Goals – Both teams are looking to tighten up after Saturday’s blowouts.
Rangers -1.5 (+160) – If New York plays disciplined hockey, they could pull away late.
Final Score Prediction: New York Rangers 3, Pittsburgh Penguins 1
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
