A contender against a Surrender is on the NHL docket for Saturday.
The Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers matchup is scheduled for Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Specifically, this is a Metropolitan Division rivalry game in the 2025-26 NHL regular season, nationally televised on ABC Hockey Saturday.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are sitting strong, placing 2nd in the Metropolitan Division and in a solid playoff position in the Eastern Conference. They've been one of the surprises this season, pushing to end a multi-year playoff drought.
Sidney Crosby remains the Pittsburgh leader. Although he dealt with a lower-body injury during Olympic play for Team Canada, his status should be monitored, but he's expected to be a key player.
On the other hand, the New York Rangers are struggling. New York is at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. They've lost 15 of their last 18 games (3-13-2), including a rough stretch post-Olympic break.
The Rangers have been in sell mode, notably trading Artemi Panarin before the break, and they're positioned more as spoilers than contenders. New York management has quit on the season.
Penguins at Rangers Preview
On Saturday, February 28, 2026, the New York Rangers will host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden, NY. Faceoff time is 12:30 p.m. ET with television coverage on ABC.
Public Betting Odds Factors
- The Rangers are a tough sell to gamblers.
- Reasons include major roster changes (e.g., Panarin trade), poor recent form, and low morale.
- New York is focusing on youth development and draft positioning rather than wins.
- The Penguins have dominated at times this season, but Madison Square Garden can be tough.
- Due to form and standings, the Penguins are favored on the NHL spread by most gamblers.
- Pittsburgh is expected to control possession and exploit the Rangers' defensive lapses.
Penguins at Rangers Predictions
Handicapping Factors to Consider
- Overall, this looks like a Penguins bounce-back/statement game spot after the break.
- New York’s fire sale is the ultimate white flag tell.
- New York’s abysmal offense is an embarrassment and a major liability.
- The teams have already met multiple times. First, the Penguins opened the season with a 3-0 shutout win at MSG (October 7, 2025).
- Last time (January 31, 2026, in Pittsburgh), the Penguins won 6-5 in a high-scoring affair. New York couldn't hold on despite a late push.
- The Penguins hold the edge in recent head-to-heads, winning two of the first three this season.
Penguins at Rangers Prime Best Bet: Pittsburgh Penguins and Under the Total
Penguins at Rangers Betting Tips
Pittsburgh Penguins
- Pittsburgh ranks 5th in goals scored and 8th in power-play efficiency.
- The Penguins rank 10th in goals against and 3rd in penalty killing.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins are 29-15-12 straight up and 30-24-2 over/under.
- Also, Pittsburgh is 5th in the Eastern Conference playoff standings.
- Pittsburgh is eight points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
- Pittsburgh has covered seven out of its last nine games.
- The Penguins have gone over the total in four of their previous five matchups.
New York Rangers
- New York ranks 27th in goals scored and 11th in power-play efficiency.
- The Rangers rank 21st in goals against and 14th in penalty killing.
- The New York Rangers are 22-29-6 straight up and 25-31-1 over/under the total.
- New York is 16th in the Eastern Conference playoff standings.
- New York is 19 points behind the New York Islanders for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
- New York has covered two out of their last ten games.
- The Rangers have gone over the total in three of their previous five matchups.
Penguins at Rangers Head-to-Head and Key Stats
- Pittsburgh has paid off in three of its last five games against the Rangers.
- Three of the last four games between the Penguins and Rangers went over the NHL betting total.
- Specifically in New York, the Penguins came away with the cash in three of their last four meetings with the Rangers.
- Five of the last six games between the Penguins and Rangers in New York went under the total.
