Penguins vs Rangers Game 5 Odds, Picks, and Predictions

• The Penguins vs Rangers odds favor New York as -130 moneyline favorites in Game 5 on Wednesday (7:00 pm ET)
• Pittsburgh leads the best-of-7 series 3-1 after a pair of dominant home wins in Games 3 and 4
• Read below for the Game 5 Penguins vs Rangers odds, analysis and betting prediction

There’s been plenty of speculation that this year might be the final playoff run for Pittsburgh’s core group. If it is, they appear to be a team looking to go out with a bang.

The Penguins reeled off their second consecutive blowout victory at home in Game 4 over the Rangers, and now hold a commanding 3-1 series lead as the teams head back to New York. Pittsburgh can eliminate the Rangers in Game 5 on Wednesday, although oddsmakers appear less bullish on them than you might expect.

Penguins vs Rangers Odds

Odds as of May 10th at Barstool Sportsbook.

New York opened up as -130 moneyline favorites, in a contest that features a total of 6. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm ET at Madison Square Garden, with ESPN providing the broadcast coverage.

As for the series market, the Penguins are overwhelming -650 favorites to advance to the conference semis. Pittsburgh’s price has also been slashed in the Stanley Cup odds, as they’re now +1300 to raise Lord Stanley’s mug.

Pittsburgh vs New York NHL Betting Analysis

This year marks the 16th playoff appearance for the trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, and Crosby in particular is playing out of his mind. The two-time winner in the Hart Trophy odds recorded a goal and three assists in the Penguins 7-2 Game 4 victory, giving him 9 points total for the series.

No. 1 star Sidney Crosby (1G-2A) has recorded multiple points in four-straight games to begin the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, marking the fifth time a @Penguins player has accomplished such a feat in team history. pic.twitter.com/NGwQzJ64EP

— Penguins PR (@PenguinsPR) May 10, 2022

His linemate Jake Guentzel added his playoff leading fifth goal, while Malkin and four other Pittsburgh skaters found the back of the net.

Louis Domingue, starting in place of injured All-Star Tristan Jarry, stopped 22 shots for his third straight win, and is starting to earn cult status in the Steel City.

Jarry meanwhile, continues to work his way back from a right foot injury. He’s been skating on his own for the last few days, but has not yet returned to full practice.

At the other end of the rink, Vezina Trophy odds favorite Igor Shesterkin continued his road woes. Shesterkin was pulled for the second consecutive game, and leaves Pittsburgh after allowing 10 goals in just three periods of play.

Has anyone tried unplugging Igor Shesterkin and plugging him back in?

— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) May 10, 2022

That’s quite a contrast from Games 1 and 2 where Shesterkin stopped 119 pucks, or the regular season when he limited the Penguins to four total goals in four meetings.

Despite the 26-year-old’s struggles, the Rangers will go right back to him in Game 5 as they look to stave off elimination.

While Pittsburgh’s big guns are racking up points, New York’s top stars were relatively quiet in Games 3 and 4. Chris Kreider, Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad, who combined for 256 points during the regular season, scored just one goal. If the trio doesn’t rise up on Wednesday, it’s hard to imagine the Rangers extending this series.

Penguins vs Rangers Game 5 Pick

Overcoming a 3-1 series deficit is rare, but it’s certainly not impossible. It’s been done 30 times in NHL postseason history, including twice by New York. The Rangers accomplished the feat in both 2014 and 2015, the former instance actually taking place against Pittsburgh in the Second Round.

#NYR Jacob Trouba: "It doesn't matter if you lose 1-0 or if you lose what you just did tonight. Games over. Move on to the next game."

— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) May 10, 2022

However, this series has been very one-sided from almost every angle. The Penguins hold a 54% to 46% Corsi advantage, and have produced 51 more high danger scoring chances than New York. In Game 4 alone, Pittsburgh held a 20-1 advantage in high danger scoring chances, and also hold a 22.7 to 13.7 advantage for the series in expected goals for.

If that wasn’t enough, they’ve also posted superior special teams numbers. The Penguins have capitalized on 33.3% of their chances with the man advantage, while the Rangers have clicked on only 22.2% of their opportunities.

WE'RE UP 3-1 IN THE SERIES! pic.twitter.com/6M8QFpnArJ

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 10, 2022

I realize New York’s backs are against the wall in Game 5, but betting Pittsburgh to win at plus-money is too strong to pass up. They’ve been the much better team according to the advanced metrics, their stars are outperforming the Rangers’, and New York’s biggest weapon Shesterskin is struggling.

Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins Moneyline (+110)