NHL Game 6: Rangers vs Penguins Betting Preview
Pittsburgh’s Time Is Right Now
It’s never easy for the team leading a best-of-seven series by a tally of three games to one, to win the dreaded Game 5, especially when that game is on the road. Typically, that game is a letdown spot for the team holding a commanding series lead. For the Pittsburgh Penguins, that was the case as they dropped Wednesday’s Game 5 at Madison Square Garden 5-3 thanks to a second-period flurry from the New York Rangers.
Pittsburgh still has a 3-2 series edge and, as far as a Rangers vs Penguins betting preview goes, the Penguins remain in the driver’s seat. Igor Shesterkin has been far from his usual dominant self and Pittsburgh has, for the most part, driven play since Game 2. All the Penguins need to do to pull off the upset is notch one more win at home, where they’ve outscored New York 14-6 thus far.
New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins Game 6 Information
- Game: New York Rangers (2-3) at Pittsburgh Penguins (3-2)
- Location: PPG Paints Arena
- Day/Time: Friday, May 13th, 7:00 p.m. ET
- Television: TNT
Domingue Doesn’t Need to Be Perfect
With Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith still sidelined due to injury, third-string sensation Louis Domingue remains in goal for the Pittsburgh Penguins and while he struggled on Wednesday, he has — for the most part — been great as an emergency fill-in. A big reason why a Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup is even possible anymore is that Domingue was able to right the ship in the second and third overtimes of Game 1.
While he wasn’t as sharp in Games 2 or 5 in New York, Domingue played very well in Games 3 and 4 and is undoubtedly more comfortable now than he was a week ago. The good thing for him — and Pittsburgh — is that even with Sidney Crosby’s status up in the air, the Penguins should have enough offense to get by as long as Domingue can hold the Rangers in check. He doesn’t need to be perfect in any way but he just has to keep Pittsburgh close, especially with the support of the home crowd.
Rangers Have Health Edge
As mentioned above, the elephant in the room for a Penguins vs Rangers betting preview is Sidney Crosby. He left Wednesday’s game early and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be able to play tonight. Of course, he’s the engine for a lot of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ offense and he’s the best skater in this series, despite being 34 years old. His absence made a huge difference down the stretch in Game 5 and it could play a big role in Game 6.
If the New York Rangers have any chance of staying alive in their quest for the NHL Playoffs Stanley Cup, they have to take advantage of Crosby potentially missing this game because they have had no answers for him. He had multiple points in each of the series’ first four games. Pittsburgh still has enough offensive juice without him to manage a win but it makes things harder on the Penguins and easier on Igor Shesterkin.
Pittsburgh Will Take Care of Business
Even though they’re slight underdogs against the New York Rangers on Friday because of Sidney Crosby’s (potential) absence, the Pittsburgh Penguins should wrap up their 1st round series on home ice. Crosby’s status takes center stage of any Penguins vs Rangers betting preview, with good reason, but Pittsburgh has picked up enough contributions from guys like Jake Guentzel, Bryan Rust, Evgeni Malkin, and others to think they can withstand not having Crosby for one game.
It won’t be easy, especially against Igor Shesterkin, but the Penguins have a ton of playoff experience and should play a much more complete game tonight than they did on Wednesday. Look for Pittsburgh to survive and advance on to the 2nd round.
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