The New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins are both playing the second leg of a back-to-back, and both teams would like to forget about their efforts yesterday. The Rangers lost 8-2 to the Buffalo Sabres, while the Penguins fell 8-3 to the Washington Capitals.
Both teams should come out with more intensity today, but with that being said, they’re both tough to trust right now. This game might be a coin-flip but that favors the home team, as I explain in my Rangers vs. Penguins predictions and NHL picks for Sunday, February 23.
Rangers vs Penguins prediction
My best bet
Penguins moneyline (+118 at FanDuel)
My analysis
The New York Rangers had a horrendous effort in Buffalo yesterday, and it looked like none of them were interested in playing. For the Pittsburgh Penguins, the final score didn’t look great vs. the Capitals, but they were in the game in the first half of it.
The Rangers have had so many horrible starts to games this season, and it showed yesterday as they were out-chanced 15-8 in the first period alone.
What both teams have in common is that their starting netminder was yanked in the game yesterday. Jonathan Quick came in to relieve Igor Shesterkin, while Joel Blomqvist came in for Alex Nedeljkovic. Quick and Nedeljkovic both allowed three goals on 17 shots faced. It can be reasonably assumed that Quick and Blomqvist will be the starters for today’s game.
The last time these two teams met, the Penguins were without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin for the first time since 2021, and they still found a way to defeat the Rangers on the road by a score of 3-2 back on February 7. That win should give Pittsburgh an extra confidence-boost today.
Sidney Crosby picked up right where we he left off prior to the break and with how he played in the 4 Nations tournament. Crosby scored the tying goal in the second period before the Capitals went on a run, but he is also riding a six-game point streak (five goals, three assists), and they need him to continue leading the way.
The Rangers have been one of the worst defensive teams in the NHL, not only for the entire season, but especially in the month of February. They’re allowing 4.00 goals against per game and their penalty kill is at a 61.5% success rate.
Both teams have been a disaster, but the Rangers might be the bigger one.
Rangers vs Penguins same-game parlay (SGP)
Penguins moneyline
Over 5.5
Sidney Crosby 1+ points
The Rangers cannot be trusted right now, and with how they played yesterday, they have no business being a road favorite.
If you want to use excuses, maybe you can say something about the four guys who played in the 4 Nations championship. Those guys didn’t seem to have their legs, but nobody on the team did. Crosby and his linemates should be able to generate plenty of chances today against what is a weak Rangers blueline.
On the flip side, the Penguins' goaltending can’t be relied upon either as they’re allowing 3.00 goals against per game in the month of February. This game will not be a defensive clinic, that’s for sure.
Despite being 37 years old, Crosby has not slowed down one bit. He leads Pittsburgh in scoring with 59 points in 56 games, and if the Penguins are going to generate anything today, it will start and end with Crosby. He always finds a way to produce against the Rangers and that should be no different today.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Rangers vs Penguins odds
Rangers vs Penguins live odds
Rangers vs Penguins opening odds
- Puck line: New York -1.5 (+176) | Pittsburgh +1.5 (-220)
- Moneyline: New York -140 | Pittsburgh +116
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-134) | Under 5.5 (+110)
Rangers vs Penguins trend
The Penguins have hit the moneyline in 22 of their last 41 games at home (+3.65 Units / 7% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Rangers vs. Penguins.
How to watch Rangers vs Penguins
| Location | PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Date | Sunday, 2-23-2025 |
| Puck drop | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | Sportsnet, TNT |
Rangers vs Penguins latest injuries
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