Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers Prediction, 3/18/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers

Date: Saturday, March 18, 2023

Location: Madison Square Garden in New York, NY

TV: MSG+

Odds/Point Spread: Penguins (+130) Rangers (-154)

Madison Square Garden is the location where the New York Rangers (39-19-10) will try to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins (34-24-10) on Saturday. The moneyline on this game has Pittsburgh at +130 while New York is coming in at -154. The total is 7.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be looking to get a win in their next outing after their 4-2 loss against the Rangers in their previous game. Pittsburgh recorded 4 penalty minutes for this matchup. The Penguins had a below average offensive outing in the loss. They also had 1 power play attempt but didn't get a goal. For the game, they netted 2 of the 32 shots they attempted.

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While playing at even strength, the Penguins let the opposition score 176 goals while scoring 171 of their own. Pittsburgh Penguins opponents have 216 power play opportunities (13th in pro hockey) and have earned 43 goals in those attempts. With regard to their scoring, the Pittsburgh Penguins have accounted for 222 goals (13th in hockey) so far this season and have allowed 219. Pittsburgh has attempted 2,312 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 9.6%. For the season, they have tallied 78 points and their points % is .574. The Penguins thus far have had 2,278 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .904. Pittsburgh comes into the game with 233 power play chances and they have tallied 51 goals during those advantages, earning them a rate of 21.89%.

The player protecting the goal in this game is Tristan Jarry. Jarry has taken the ice for 196 games over the course of his pro hockey career. He has amassed a mark of 113-55-19 and he was named the starter in 188 games. Opponents have notched 492 goals versus Jarry in his pro hockey career and his average for goals against per game is 2.65. Jarry has seen 5,709 shot attempts taken against him and has garnered 5,217 saves. His save percentage sits at .914 in his 11,159 mins guarding the cage. In his career, Jarry has accounted for 114 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .606.

When they were on the ice last, New York faced off against the Penguins in an outing where the Rangers took home the victory by a tally of 4-2. The Rangers recorded 4 goals of the 35 shots on goal they took. They had 2 opportunities on the power play in this contest but didn't put one in the back of the net.

The Rangers are sitting with 174 goals at even strength and 48 goals (14th in the league) while having a power play advantage. New York has attempted 2,166 shots (14th in the NHL) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 10.25%, while allowing the other team 1,991 shots. So far this year, the New York Rangers have earned 222 goals, 88 points, in addition to a points percentage of .647. They have granted a total of 189 goals to be scored by way of 150 goals at even strength and 39 goals while they were shorthanded. They have earned 206 chances on the power play and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 23.30%. They have a penalty kill percentage of 79.69% on their opponents 192 power play opportunities, and their save percentage is 90.5%.

For the opposition you are going to see Igor Shesterkin in goal. His opposition is averaging 2.42 goals per game and he has relinquished 347 goals altogether. Shesterkin's percentage of quality starts sits at 65.3% and he has 94 quality starting assignments in his career. He has started in 144 games and has played for a total of 8,610 minutes. Shesterkin has amassed a lifetime record of 93-40-14 and has played in 149 games. He has recorded 4,124 stops out of the 4,471 shots tried, giving him a save percentage of .922.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Pittsburgh (+130)

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