Rangers vs Penguins Picks, Odds & Starting Goalies for Saturday

• We have our picks in for Rangers vs Penguins, which is the second game of ABC’s doubleheader.
• Sidney Crosby again leads the Penguins against a New York Rangers team searching for answers.
• Read below for my Rangers vs Penguins picks, odds, and starting goalies

The New York Rangers attempt to close out an ugly January on a positive note when they play the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday afternoon. Online sportsbooks have now installed Pittsburgh as -192 favorites in the Rangers vs Penguins odds.

Preseason feels like years ago. After all, the first game of the season saw Pittsburgh stun New York at Madison Square Garden. Maybe it was a harbinger of things to come for both teams.

Puck drop is set for this tile at approximately 3:30 PM ET on ABC from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. It is one of 14 games on the Saturday slate. Let’s make some picks for Rangers vs Penguins, list the odds, and project the starting goalies for this matchup.

Rangers vs Penguins Picks

• Pittsburgh Penguins -1.5 goals (+130 at DraftKings)
• Pittsburgh Penguins and Under 6.5 goals (+170)
• Goal in first five minutes (+160)

While plenty of other choices are out there, it is intriguing to roll with Pittsburgh here. One reason is the fact that Artemi Panarin will not play. He is being held out in order to facilitate a trade. Some believe a move is close while others do not. Combine that with the unlikelihood of an Adam Fox or Igor Shesterkin return and bettors can see why Pittsburgh is fanning out to -200 on the moneyline at some sportsbooks.

The sharp money leans on Pittsburgh even with some injury concerns with the Penguins. Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are fine despite some early week worries. It is why we may be more optimistic for a Pittsburgh cover at +130.

As for other aspects of this game, the Rangers have given up quite a few goals and have only won twice without Shesterkin in the lineup. After a stirring comeback win against Boston, the Rangers promptly dropped two games in a row to the New York Islanders. The Rangers were outscored 7-3 in those contests.

Given that Pittsburgh is ranked 5th defensively (147 goals allowed), New York could easily score two goals or fewer while helping the under on the game total.

That being said, we do believe a goal could happen in the first five minutes. Saturday afternoon games have a way of going unexpected while featuring their own series of twists and turns. Pittsburgh seeks revenge for a 6-1 home loss early in the season.

New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Odds

The total sits at 6.5 with some extra buzz on the Under at -120, reflecting some action due to the concerns with the Rangers’ offense (26th in goals). Books seem to be too fixated on the lack of defense (22nd at 172 goals allowed).

Stanley Cup odds have seen a total reverse as New York waived the white flag with another retooling letter. Pittsburgh is now at +7500 while the Rangers who opened at +3000 are now +30000.

With New York falling off the table, Pittsburgh seems to have a clear road on Saturday afternoon. Even though the Rangers did play better on Thursday, the Islanders still held them to one goal.

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Rangers vs Penguins Projected Starting Goalies

Stuart Skinner promptly dropped his first three decisions with Pittsburgh. However, the goaltender has been amazing of late for the Penguins. Skinner tends to go on runs like this and when he does, it is hard to stray away from him.

For some miscellaneous bets, the Pittsburgh Penguins are now -230 to make the playoffs while the Rangers are off the board. An even longer number on Saturday includes a Pittsburgh shutout listed at +800. Let us not go that far and opt for our picks above. If anything, keep an eye on some Sidney Crosby props. The ageless wonder has no points in his last two games but a nationally televised matinee seems like music to his ears and to us too.