NHL Weekend Preview – New York Showdown
Two big Eastern Conference matchups highlight the NHL betting schedule Saturday, as the Penguins and Flyers clash in the latest meeting in the battle of Pennsylvania, and the slumping Rangers travel to Buffalo to face the Sabres.
The Penguins entered the Dan Bylsma era on Monday with a 3-2 shootout loss to the Islanders. After picking up a single point Pittsburgh sat 10th in the East, six points back of a playoff spot. Philly knocked off the Rangers 5-2 on Sunday to pick up their fourth win in their last five games. The win over New York allowed the Flyers to hold onto fourth place in the East.
Saturday’s afternoon game will be the fifth time this season the Penguins and Flyers will meet up. Despite the fact they trail Philly by nine points in the Atlantic Division standings the Penguins have won the series so far with three wins versus the Flyers. They last faced off on January 13 in Philadelphia when the Pens doubled up on the Flyers 4-2 as a -170 favorite on the NHL odds. Sidney Crosby collected a pair of assists in the win, while Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal both scored.
The Rangers picked up a much-needed win on Wednesday night by defeating the Islanders 3-1. Scott Gomez delivered the game-winner, his first goal in nine games, while Chris Drury collected three assists in the win. That victory snapped a three-game losing streak and moved the Rangers up to fifth place in the East. However, New York is far from safe in fifth, as they are only two points up on eighth place in the conference standings.
Buffalo sat in eighth place in the East heading into their Thursday night clash with the Flyers. The Sabres defeated Toronto 4-1 on Tuesday night behind a stellar 27-save performance from Ryan Miller and a pair of goals from Drew Stafford. Stafford has come alive in the New Year with nine of his 17 goals coming in the last two months.
The Rangers and Sabres have faced off twice already this season with Buffalo winning both contests. Way back in October Buffalo upset the Rangers 3-1 as a +130 road dog, while in January the Sabres edged New York 2-1 as a -125 home favorite.
