| MATCHUP | New York Rangers | Pittsburgh Penguins |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 22-27-6 | 27-14-11 |
| Spread | +1.5 -148 | -1.5 124 |
| Moneyline | +170 | -205 |
| Total | Over 6.5 (100) | Under 6.5 (-120) |
| Where | PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA | |
| When | Saturday, January 31, 2026 | |
| Time | 03:30 PM EST | |
| TV | ABC | |
In this article we will formulate a Rangers vs Penguins prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, January 31st at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
New York Rangers Betting Preview
The New York Rangers are 22-27-6 this season after they lost to the Islanders by a score of 2-1 in their last game. New York cut the deficit to 2-1 in the third period, but couldn’t find anymore offense in the low scoring loss. The Rangers recorded 21 shots on goal, won 62.5% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. New York got their lone goal from Zibanejad, while Quick stopped 19 out of 21 shots, which was a .905 save percentage.
Prior to that game, New York lost another game to the Islanders by a score of 5-2, but did beat the Bruins by a score of 4-3 before that. The Rangers have lost five of their last six games and they are currently last in the Metro standings with 50 points. New York has scored 2.62 goals per game and they have allowed 3.13 goals against per game, while also going 22.8% on the power play and 79.5% on the penalty kill this season. Artemi Panarin has led New York with 19 goals and 38 assists, while Mika Zibanejad has added 23 goals and 28 assists. The projected starting goalie for New York is Jonathan Quick, who is 4-12-2 with a 3.11 goals against average and an .885 save percentage this season.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins are 27-14-11 this year after they defeated Chicago by a score of 6-2 in their last game. Pittsburgh trailed 1-0 in the first period, but they scored the next six goals to pull away with the win. The Penguins out shot Chicago by a total of 44-20, won 58.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh got goals from Chinakhov, Dewar (2), Kindel, Mantha, and Shea, while Silovs stopped 18 out of 20 shots, which was a .900 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Pittsburgh defeated the Canucks by a score of 3-2 and the Oilers by a score of 6-2. The Penguins have won five games in a row and they are currently second in the Metro standings with 65 points. Pittsburgh has scored 3.35 goals per game and they have allowed 2.83 goals against per game, while also going 27.2% on the power play and 83.8% on the penalty kill this season. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh with 27 goals and 30 assists, while Evgeni Malkin has added 13 goals and 28 assists. The projected starting goalie for Pittsburgh is Stuart Skinner, who is 7-4-0 with a 2.31 goals against average and a .906 save percentage for the Penguins this year.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win
- The Penguins have won six of their last seven games.
- The Rangers have lost 10 of their last 12 games.
- The home team has covered the puck line in each of the Rangers’ last four games.
- The Rangers have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five day games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Rangers have lost the second period in each of their last five games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents when trailing after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Nine of the Rangers’ last 10 day games following a loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Penguins’ last five day games against Metropolitan Division opponents at PPG Paints Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Eleven of the last 14 games between teams from the same division have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last nine games as road underdogs.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last seven games.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Sidney Crosby has scored at least one goal in six of the Penguins’ last seven games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one assist in nine of the Penguins’ last 10 games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
New York Rangers Player Prop Facts
- Mika Zibanejad has scored at least one goal in each of the Rangers’ last four games as road underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Artemi Panarin has recorded at least one assist in each of his last 11 appearances with the Rangers as road underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
Rangers vs Penguins Prediction
Pittsburgh comes into this matchup on a five game winning streak and they have allowed two goals or fewer in four straight. The Penguins are 12-7-7 at home this year, while the Rangers are 16-13-2 on the road. New York has lost five of their last six games and they have scored two goals or fewer in three of their last four. The Rangers continue to be one of the worst teams in the East and I don’t think they can keep pace against this tough Pittsburgh defense. Take the Penguins -1.5 here.