The first-round matchup between the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins continues in Game 2 with the Penguins leading 1-0 as we look at the moneyline, over/under, and player props for this game.
New York Rangers (-160) vs Pittsburgh Penguins (+135)
Series – NYR 0-1 PIT
The Penguins deserved to win Game 1 of the series a lot sooner than triple overtime, but as we expected, the Vezina Trophy favourite Igor Shesterkin made 79 saves and kept the Rangers in the game for a long time giving them every opportunity to win. In Game 2, Louis Domingue should get the start after Casey DeSmith joins Tristan Jarry on the sidelines. Despite making 17 saves and getting the win, the Rangers have the clear advantage in goal since Domingue is the third goaltending option for the Penguins.
The known playoff performers for the Penguins stepped up in Game 1 by scoring all four of the goals. This included the top line of Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, Bryan Rust, and the man who ended the game, Evgeni Malkin. The Rangers are going to need Artemi Panarin to step up offensively and the team to cut down the shots against while also peppering the Penguins with shots from everywhere. Take the Rangers to bounce back in this one but the Rangers to jump on the Penguins’ goaltending. Consider adding the over (O5.5, -125) as well.
Player Props
Artmei Panarin – Assists (Over 0.5, -133)
Panarin didn’t get on the scoresheet in Game 1 but finished the regular season with 96 points in 75 games. It’s not likely he will be blanked once again, especially with Domingue in net for the Penguins. In his career, Panarin has been nearly a point-per-game player in the playoffs. The only year he didn’t perform was in 2016-17 when he recorded just one assist in four games. The more playoff experience he gets, the better he seems to play. As he is an assist-man, recording 74 this season, jump on this prop bet for better odds and one that is likely to hit.
Jake Guentzel – Anytime Goal-Scorer (+160)
Guentzel once again showed up in the playoffs and scored two goals for the Penguins in Game 1 of the series. The top line of the Penguins was on fire and worked very well together. The Rangers didn’t have an answer for them as no team generally does.
Guentzel has scored in over half the playoff games he has played in his career, scoring 28 goals and 50 points in 52 games. His early runs were very impressive, but as the Penguins have struggled to get out of the first round in recent seasons, he hasn’t put up the points we’re used to. He kicked things off right and should get back on the scoresheet unless the Rangers can contain the top line.
Odds via Yahoo and BetMGM.
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