Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers Betting Preview/Prop Picks

The 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway, and a big showdown in the Eastern Conference begins on Tuesday. The New York Rangers host the Pittsburgh Penguins in what should be a terrific series.

Pittsburgh finished the regular season with 103 points to earn another trip to the postseason. The Penguins might be the slight underdogs in this series, but they are also a team that has been in the playoffs for 16 straight years. 

New York got off to a slow start in 2022 but ended up finishing the season with 110 points on the year. The Rangers don’t have a ton of playoff experience, and winning Game 1 will be a big key for this team.

The New York Rangers are the moneyline betting favorites at -132 over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night.

Pittsburgh Has Plenty of Weapons

The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging right around three goals per game this season, and they have a number of offensive weapons. Jake Guentzel leads the team with 40 goals and 84 points, but Sidney Crosby is also able to lead this team on that end of the ice. 

Goaltender Tristan Jarry has gone 34-18-6 in net for the Penguins this season, and he will have to play well in this series. Pittsburgh is holding teams to just 2.7 goals per game, and that will be a big key on the road.

Special teams usually dictate how a series plays out, and Pittsburgh will have to improve in that area. The Penguins score on the power play just 20 percent of the time, and they will have to take advantage on that end of the ice.

Defense Can Be Dominant For Rangers

The New York Rangers are holding teams to less than 2.5 goals per game, and they have the ability to shut teams down. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin has six shutouts on the year, and he just doesn’t give up many goals. 

New York is now scoring over three goals per game, but they aren’t a team that will overwhelm opponents. The Rangers do score on the power play 24 percent of the time, and they will make Pittsburgh pay for penalties.

Artemi Panarin might be the best player on the ice in this series as he leads the team with 74 assists and 96 total points.

Rangers Take Game One

Don’t expect a ton of separation between these teams all series long as both teams are pretty similar in style of play. The biggest advantage in this series comes from the Rangers and their ability to slow down opponents.

Pittsburgh won’t be intimidated by playing on the road on Tuesday night, but that home-ice advantage is going to provide a huge boost to the Rangers. This game is going to be decided by one goal, and it will be the Rangers that find a way to take control late.

Winning Game 1 won’t dictate the team that advances, but it’s important for the Rangers to take control early. Bet the New York Rangers -132 over the Pittsburgh Penguins as the home team escapes to pick up a win in the series opener.

Prop Picks

Pittsburgh (-125) UNDER 2.5 Goals

New York is allowing 2.5 goals per game on defense, which ranks No. 2 in the league. Scores have gone UNDER in four of the Rangers’ last six home games.

With Dunkel predicting a Rangers victory by the score of 2-1, take the Penguins (-125) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 2.5 runs against New York.

Jeff Carter (-150) UNDER 0.5 Points

Carter had 45 points in 76 games during the regular season, which ranked No. 5 on the Penguins. The veteran center had 31 points in 42 games (+/- 19) in Pittsburgh wins, but only 14 points in 34 games (+/- -34) during Pittsburgh losses.

With Dunkel predicting a Rangers victory, take Carter (-150) to finish UNDER 0.5 points versus New York.

Keep up with your latest NHL news coverage and betting pick previews at The Dunkel Index.