Rangers/Penguins:

Whenever I see the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins going head to head, I think of all the firepower and the foot-on-the-gas coaching styles, and this explains why only two games have stayed UNDER the total in the last ten meetings between these two. However, the situation is a little more unique in this one.

Both teams are coming into game two of back to back situations, but are doing so after playing their first games off bye weeks yesterday. Pittsburgh came ready to play, as they beat the Red Wings 4-1. For New York, things were a little different as they were blown out 7-2 in an afternoon battle of New York. Rangers Captain Ryan McDonagh has voiced his displeasure, and revealed in his interview that they were studying tape to work on the holes they could not close against the Islanders yesterday. Factor that in with the mild overall fatigue from the back to back, and I expect the Rangers to be far more defensive minded tonight. Also, Henrik Lunqvist, who was supposed to have the day off yesterday but ended up coming in for a decent portion of the game in relief of Ondrej Pavelec, will be in goal tonight. He was also not happy with the team effort.

Though I expect New York to be better, I don’t necessarily expect them to win. Let’s face it, the Rangers do not have a regulation win and have only averaged two goals per game in their last nine games combined. They have many things to sort on offense as well.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are turning over a new leaf, as most bettors have not really known what to expect with them on any given night this season. They have three straight wins, and it seems highly rare for them to have a game where their offense shows without their defense. They will also have to experience a back to back situation here, despite staying at home. If they come to play tonight, they should either play a complete game for a low scoring win. If the Rangers are the ones who play a complete game and win, then Pittsburgh will not get much scoring going. I expect this to be a very careful game by both teams.

UNDER 6 -120 3*