Premium NHL Picks : January 25 #1

We have two premium picks today. This is the first one,

Pittsburgh Penguins @ NY Rangers:

After being shut out two games in a row, the New York Rangers are returning to the MSG where they have been on fire this month. Rangers scored 14 goals in 2 games in the latest two games they played on home ice. Those games were against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens.

However it was all another story when they hit the road. Rangers failed to score a goal in two games against the Philadelphia Flyers and then the Canadiens. Last game against the Montreal Canadiens was the biggest loss this team had this season as the Canadiens won the game 6-0.

It has been the same for this team all season long. There is no other team in the NHL as inconsistent as the New York Rangers. It is very difficult to predict how they are going to play the next game.

Another inconsisten team is the Penguins. They also alternate between wins and losses. They were shocked by the Washington Capitals last Thursday when the Caps came back from behind to win the gamew 6-3. Penguins then went to Philadelphia and beat the Flyers 2-1. Their penalty killing unit was extremely good as they managed to stop the Flyers on 7 of 8 powerplays. That's how you win a hockey game after falling 1-0 early in the 1st period. 2 powerplay goals on 6 attempts won all two points for the Penguins.

Marc Andre Fleury is expected to return tonight. Meanwhile, Rangers will depend on Henrik Lundqvist once again.

Penguins are 4-2 on road in their last 6 games and they are also 5-0 SU against the NY Rangers in last 5 meetings. Last year in January, Rangers had beaten the Penguins 4-0 at the MSG. That was the last time Rangers beat the defending Stanley Cup Champions.

Penguins will play their second game in as many days. Rangers rested yesterday. Penguins are still without Chris Kunitz but other than that they are a healthy team. Rangers don't have any injuries reported.

Pittsburgh Penguins are a very strong team when they are healthy and this is as healthy as they have ever been this season. Fleury is back after four games and Maxime Talbot was back at practice. Rangers without a goal in last two games will be desperate for a win. They also want to snap a six game losing against the Penguins but today's not the day if you ask me. I will go with a Penguins victory. I am expecting them to win back to back games this week.

PREMIUM NHL PICK: PITTSBURGH PENGUINS TO WIN [Moneyline]

1.83 @ Bodog.com

Outcome: