The 2022 Stanley Cup First Round closes down Sunday, May 15, with Game 7 of the Eastern Conference matchup between Pittsburgh and New York at Madison Square Garden, so here’s the best Penguins vs. Rangers betting pick.  

According to MyBookie Sportsbook, the Rangers are -160 moneyline favorites. The Penguins are listed as +135 road underdogs, while the totals sit at 6.0 goals. 

The Pens hope Crosby and Jarry return for Game 7                          

The Pittsburgh Penguins blew two chances to clinch the first-round series. After a 5-3 defeat in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden in New York, the Pens suffered a 5-3 loss in Game 6 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh this past Friday. 

Sidney Crosby missed Friday’s clash due to an upper-body injury. The three-time Stanley Cup champ took part in Saturday’s practice, but he’s still questionable to play Sunday in The Garden. Tristan Jarry, who’s been sidelined since April 15, also appeared in Saturday’s practice, and the 27-year-old netminder could get a nod in Game 7. 

Louis Domingue has guarded the cage in the previous five games, posting a 3.65 GAA and .898 save percentage. Jarry went 34-18-6 with a 2.42 GAA and .919 save percentage this past regular season. 

The Rangers hope to stay hot             

The New York Rangers rallied from an early two-goal deficit last Friday to escape with a huge victory in Game 6 in Pittsburgh. Mika Zibanejad finally showed up and scored his first two goals of the postseason, while Chris Kreider also found the back of the net twice. 

Zibanejad made a couple of dishes to increase his postseason tally to eight points. Igor Shesterkin posted 31 saves and improved to 3-2-0 with a 3.82 GAA and .906 save percentage. The 26-year-old netminder has allowed three goals in each of the previous two contests, but he’s still one of the key players in this New York team. 

Shesterkin was terrific in the regular season, racking up a 36-13-4 record, 2.07 GAA, and .935 save percentage. He’ll get another starting call in Game 7, while the Rangers want to see more from Artemi Panarin, who hasn’t scored in three straight contests. 

Trends:

Pittsburgh: 

  • 3-6 in the last nine games against the Rangers 
  • 3-6 in the last nine games played in May 

NY Rangers:

  • 11-3 in the last 14 games played on Sunday 
  • 12-7 in the last 19 games at home 

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers Pick 

The momentum is clearly on New York’s side. The Rangers erased a two-goal deficit last Friday to grab their second straight victory over the Pens, and I’m backing them to make it three in a row. Mika Zibanejad has just scored his first two goals in this series, while Igor Shesterkin has been solid over the previous two games. 

The Penguins, on the other side, have serious injury worries. Tristan Jarry might return to the crease, but Brian Dumoulin and Brian Boyle won’t be available. Rickard Rakell is doubtful to play, while Sidney Crosby’s eventual absence would be a massive blow for Pittsburgh. 

Pick: Take New York Rangers at -160             

The Total:

The total has gone over in each of the previous six encounters between the Penguins and Rangers. All six games of this series have produced seven or more goals in the total, so I would ride this betting trend in Game 7. 

Both Penguins and Rangers have been top-five defensive teams in the regular season. Pittsburgh was yielding 2.71 goals per game, while New York was allowing 2.49. However, things have changed in the playoffs, and these two teams own plenty of offensive weapons. 

Pick: Go over 6.0 goals at -125