Free NHL Picks Today: New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins 3/18/23

Free NHL Picks Today: New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins 3/18/23
Sat 18th March 2023

The Pittsburgh Penguins (34-24-10) are on the road to take on the New York Rangers (39-19-10) at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. The teams face off in their second successive game against each other. New York topped the Penguins 4-2 on Thursday.

Chris Kreider scored twice to lead the Rangers. Rickard Rakell and Jake Guentzel both scored once for the Penguins. Rakell added an assist to share the scoring lead with Sidney Crosby, who had two assists. Igor Shesterkin saved 30 of 32 shots in the win (.937%).

FACING OFF

Pittsburgh is averaging 3.26 goals per game for the season, 13th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Rangers team that is allowing 2.78 goals a game (9th).

Meanwhile, New York has found the net 3.26 times a game on average, 13th in the league, and the Penguins are allowing opponents to score 3.22 goals per game (17th).

Pittsburgh averages more shots a game (34.0) than most teams in the league, ranking fifth, though the team’s 9.7% shooting percentage is 21st. New York’s average of 31.9 attempts ranks 16th.

The Rangers’ 22.82% power play percentage ranks ninth in the league, while the Penguins are 13th with a conversion rate of 21.89%. In terms of penalty killing, Pittsburgh has the league’s 14th-ranked PK% at 80.09%, while New York is 17th at 79.17%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 83 points this season, Crosby is the top skater for the Penguins. He is among the league leaders with 54 assists (10th) and has added 29 goals of his own. In the net, Tristan Jarry (20-8-6) is Pittsburgh’s top goaltender by goals against average.

He has a 2.96 GAA and a .910% save percentage. Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad lead the Rangers in scoring with 75 and 72 points, respectively.

Panarin has 20 goals and 55 assists (9th), while Zibanejad has 35 goals and 37 assists. Shesterkin (31-11-7) is the top goalie for New York with a goals against average of 2.63. He has a save percentage of .910%.

HOME AND AWAY

Pittsburgh is 15-14-5 on the road this season. New York is 19-11-4 at Madison Square Garden this season.

SportsTips’ NHL Pick:

NY Rangers (-150)

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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

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