Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers Prediction, 12/6/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers

Date: Friday, December 6, 2024

Location: Madison Square Garden in New York, NY

TV: MSG+

Odds/Point Spread: Penguins (+125) Rangers (-150)

The New York Rangers (13-10-1) will try to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins (11-12-4) at Madison Square Garden on Friday. The moneyline on this contest has the Penguins at +125 and the Rangers are priced at -150. The total is set at 6.

The Pittsburgh Penguins were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 5-4 win over the Panthers in their previous outing. The Penguins had a solid offensive outing in the victory. For the game, they netted 5 of the 16 shots they attempted. Additionally, they had 1 power play opportunity but weren't able to net one. Pittsburgh compiled 4 penalty mins in this matchup.

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While at even strength, the Penguins have given up 86 goals while having 59 of their own. Pittsburgh Penguins opponents have 78 power play opportunities (13th in the NHL) and have racked up 16 goals in those attempts. In regard to their goal scoring prowess, the Pittsburgh Penguins have accumulated 76 goals (17th in the NHL) over the course of the season and have conceded 102. Pittsburgh has attempted 809 shots and has a shooting percentage of 9.4%. For the current season, they have racked up 26 points and their points percentage sits at .481. The Penguins have had 884 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .885. Pittsburgh is sitting with 75 power play opportunities and they have notched 17 goals during those advantages, garnering them a rate of 22.67%.

The man protecting the net in this game is Alex Nedeljkovic. Throughout his time in hockey, Nedeljkovic has accrued 70 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .515. His save percentage currently sits at .904 during his 7,852 minutes between the pipes. Nedeljkovic has seen 4,431 shot attempts taken against him and has recorded 4,005 total saves. Opponents have scored 426 goals versus Nedeljkovic in his career and his goals against average per contest is 3.26. He has amassed an overall record of 64-49-25 and he started in 136 games. Nedeljkovic has been involved in 153 contests throughout his NHL career.

When they were on the ice last, New York faced the Devils in an outing where the Rangers ended up taking the loss by a final of 5-1. They had 4 power play chances in this matchup and scored 1 out of those attempts. The Rangers notched 1 goal out of the 39 shots on goal they attempted.

This season, the New York Rangers have 76 goals, 27 points, and a points percentage of .563. They have granted a total of 70 goals to be scored by way of 59 goals at even strength and 11 goals while they were shorthanded. The Rangers have accumulated 61 goals at even strength and 15 goals (20th in hockey) while on the power play. They have earned 64 power play chances and they have earned a power play percentage of 23.44%. New York has taken 725 shots (19th in pro hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 10.48%, while allowing the opposition 786 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 85.71% on their oppositions 77 power play tries, and their save percentage sits at 91.1%.

Across the ice you will find Igor Shesterkin defending the net. His opposition is averaging 2.68 goals/game and he has given up 556 goals altogether. Shesterkin's rate of quality starts comes out to 64.2% and he has earned 145 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He got the starting nod in 226 games and has been on the ice for 12,470 mins. Shesterkin has amassed a career record of 143-68-18 and has been in net for 231 games. He has gathered 6,381 saves out of 6,937 shots taken, which gives him a save % of .920.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Pittsburgh (+125)

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