The first-round matchup between the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins heads back to New York with the Penguins leading 3-1 as we look at the moneyline, over/under, and player props for this game.
New York Rangers (-135) vs Pittsburgh Penguins (+110)
The Rangers head back home after getting beaten down in Pittsburgh. The Penguins took both games at home while scoring seven goals in each. Igor Shesterkin, the Vezina Trophy favourite this season, was pulled in consecutive games after the Penguins didn’t let off the gas and continued to score. The Rangers should get a boost from playing in front of their home crowd and won’t want to end their season like that.
The Penguins are getting goals from each line and outplaying the Rangers almost every shift in the offensive zone. They have five players with at least two goals in the series and 10 different players with at least a goal, including three from Jeff Carter in the past two games. Shesterkin will have to play like his regular-season self if the Rangers want to have any chance of staying alive in this series and limit the amount of Penguins getting in close with every opportunity. Take the Rangers to force a Game 6 and for Shesterkin to show up to help Game 5 hit the under (U6, +100).
Player Props
Sidney Crosby – Assists (Over 0.5, -120)
Through four games, Sidney Crosby has been the most dominant player in this series and possibly the NHL this postseason. He has two goals and seven assists, leading his line to dominate the Rangers nightly. He has recorded two-plus points in each game and nothing the Rangers have done suggests they can contain him or his line.
He would’ve been a 100-point player this season if it weren’t for injuries. But he took the team on his back and helped force them into a better playoff spot. He has only elevated his game from there and continues to prove why he is one of the best playoff performers in NHL history after scoring the 200th playoff point of his career.
Adam Fox – Points (Over 0.5, -150)
Adam Fox has been one of the players who has shown up to each game for the Rangers. The former Norris Trophy winner will have to show up again and be a difference-maker since who knows who else will step up in an elimination game. He has four points in four games, which include two goals.
He hardly showed up on the scoresheet during the four regular-season games played against the Penguins but has broken through and recorded one point in each of the games. He logs a ton of minutes and will be leaned on to help generate offence against Penguins’ goaltender Louis Domingue who is playing better than he is.
Odds via Yahoo and BetMGM.
The Hockey Writers & THWBets promotes responsible gaming, and provides this content as opinion and analysis with no guarantees or assurances.
For more information about responsible gambling, including help for problem gambling behaviour, please visit these great resource pages:
If you’re in Canada, Rogers Sports & Media has put together a great information and resources page.
If you’re in the United States, MGMResorts has a great page for gambling problem resources.
