Rangers vs Penguins NHL predictions

The New York Rangers will be trying to improve their chances of making the playoffs by getting a victory, when they visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, while the Penguins will be trying to move closer to the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

New York Rangers (24-13-4) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (26-10-6), Sunday, January 18, 12:30 PM. ET. NBC.

The New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins played one of the most entertaining series last year, when they met in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, which the Rangers won in seven games. This season, the Rangers have a 2-1 lead in their season series, and will be trying to win the series, when they meet for the final time in the regular season, on Sunday.

The Rangers struggled at the beginning of the season, and were 7-7-4 at one point in November, but they have since rebounded, and have won 14 of their last 16 games, a streak that started with their 4-3 win in overtime against the Penguins on December 8. With their recent streak, the Rangers have become one of the hottest teams in the NHL, and are now a contender in the Metropolitan Division, and are only three points behind the division leading New York Islanders.

New York Rangers Stats

• The Rangers average 3.1 points per game, which is 4th in the NHL.
• The Rangers allow opponents to score an average of 2.4 points per game, which is 6th in the NHL.
• The Rangers convert on 20.5% of their power plays, which is 9th in the NHL.
• The Rangers kill 82.4% of their opponent's penalties, which is 11th in the NHL.
• One of the biggest reasons for the Rangers success during this streak is Rick Nash, who has 9 goals and 5 assists during the run, and has 26 goals, 15 assists, and 41 points through 40 games, surpassing his totals from last season, when he played 60 games.
• The Pittsburgh Penguins have put their disappointing finish in the playoffs behind them, and are trying to secure the top seed in the Eastern Conference. They are one point behind the New York Islanders in the Metropolitan division, and two points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the top spot in the Conference.
• After a fast start to the season, the Penguins have struggled lately, and have lost six of their last 10 games, making this a very important game for them, not only because of the division standings, but also because they were defeated by the Rangers in the playoffs last season, and a split of the season series will be better for their confidence if they meet in the playoffs, than losing the series to the Rangers.

Pittsburgh Penguins Stats

• The Penguins score 3 points per game, which is 6th in the NHL.
• The Penguins allow opponents to average 2.3 points per game, which is 4th in the NHL.
• The Penguins convert on 22.1% of their power play opportunities, which is 6th in the NHL.
• The Penguins kill 88.3% of their opponent's penalties, which is second in the NHL.
• The Penguins are one of the most talented teams in the NHL, and seem to be coming out of their slump, as evidenced by their 7-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild. Sydney Crosby leads the team in assists, and will eventually regain his scoring form, which will make them the most dangerous team in the NHL.

My Pick

The Rangers have been playing very well lately, but this game means a lot to the Penguins, and they will find a way to get the victory.