Penguins vs. Rangers Game 2 NHL Picks: Teams Tired After Triple Overtime?

The Pittsburgh Penguins outlasted the New York Rangers in Game 1, winning 4-3 in triple overtime to take the series lead. Can New York even the series on Thursday night? Find out where we lean in our Penguins-Rangers picks.

The Penguins and Rangers played the game of the playoffs on Tuesday night. It took three overtimes for the Penguins to finally win - with their third-string goalie in net.

Pittsburgh outshot New York 83-68 in the nearly 120-minute affair. The Rangers got out to a 2-0 lead early in the second period, but the Penguins quickly battled back. A five-goal second period had the game tied at three and then no goals were scored for over 60 minutes.

The Penguins won the game but lost goalie Casey DeSmith to a lower-body injury. Pittsburgh was already without starter Tristan Jarry, leaving third-stringer Louis Domingue as the likely starter Thursday.

Here are my picks and predictions for Thursday's NHL matchup between the Penguins and Rangers (odds via FoxBet, FanDuel Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5 star scale).

Penguins vs. Rangers Game Info

Date/Time: Thursday, May 5, 7 p.m. ETTV: TNT, ATTSN, MSG, Sportsnet, CBCLocation: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Penguins vs. Rangers Odds Analysis

The Rangers opened at just -128 favorites, but that line has shifted with over two-thirds of the action coming in on them. They're up to between -152 (FanDuel) and -160 (BetMGM) as a result. This betting action and line movement is likely due to the aforementioned goalie situation for Pittsburgh.

The total opened at 5.5 goals and has moved at some books. You can get Over 5.5 (-120) and Under 5.5 (+100) at DraftKings, while Unibet has Over 6 (+104) and FoxBet has Under 6 (-118). There has been a large percentage of the handle on the Under in the early going.

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Penguins vs. Rangers Picks

Rangers (-152 via FanDuel) ????Under 6 (-118 via FoxBet) ???Andrew Copp Over 0.5 points (-112 via FanDuel) ????

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Penguins vs. Rangers Predictions

Rangers (-152)

On top of the Penguins' goalie situation, forwards Jason Zucker and Rickard Rakell are also day-to-day. On the other side, Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren was the only casualty from Game 1 and he's probable for Game 2.

The Penguins got a bit lucky in Game 1. It appeared as if the Rangers took a lead late in the third period, but the goal was called back for goalie interference after a challenge. It was a call that could've gone either way. On top of that, the Penguins took advantage of the Rangers playing undisciplined hockey with the game-tying goal on a 5-on-3 power play.

Nevertheless, I expect the Rangers to bounce back. They lost the first meeting of the regular season in Pittsburgh then won the next three. Igor Shesterkin gives them a huge advantage in the crease over DeSmith and especially Domingue.

Under 6 (-118)

I’m expecting there to be a lot of tired legs after these teams played essentially two hockey games in one on Tuesday night. Furthermore, the Penguins should look to play a more defensively responsible game in front of their backup (or third-string) goalie.

Playoff hockey is already typically more physical and lower scoring, and these teams played that to a tee in the regular season. The Rangers outscored Pittsburgh 11-4 in four regular-season matchups that averaged less than four goals per game.

These were two of the best defensive teams in the league in the regular season and that should continue here in the playoffs, especially in a tired Game 2.

Andrew Copp Over 0.5 points (-112)

Andrew Copp has been one of the best under-the-radar deadline additions. The center had 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 16 regular-season games with the Rangers and scored a goal in Game 1. There were only three games out of those 18 where he was held off of the scoresheet.

Copp has been on the Rangers for four matchups with the Penguins (including playoffs) and has a point in each one. The winger plays with Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome on the second line, while also seeing time on the second power-play unit. He'll stay hot as the Rangers look to take Game 2.

Where to Bet Penguins-Rangers Picks

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Penguins-Rangers picks made on 5/5/2022 at 12:46 a.m. ET.