Today game 3 of the NHL Playoffs takes place between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers.  The Penguins have jumped out to an early lead in the NHL Playoff series by winning both game 1 and game 2.  New York will look to rebound tonight as they head home.  In the first round both the Penguins and Rangers disposed of their opponents very quickly.  Pittsburg dominated the Senators, by taking the series 4 games to 0.  The Rangers were just as good, beating the Devils in 5 games, 4 – 1.

The Penguins will have to rely on their big guns again, in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.  This year Malkin had 47 goals and 59 assists for 106 points.  He finished as the runner up for this seasons scoring championship.  Both Crosby and Malkin combined for 15 points in the series vs the Senators.  They will need to have big games tonight as they hope to take a commanding 3 -0 lead in the series and put away the Rangers.  I feel the Penguins also have an advantage is goaltending.  Marc-Andre Fleury was excellent in round 1 of the playoffs.  He has a save percentage of .955.  Currently Oddsmakers at sportsbetting.com have the Rangers as a -145 favorite heading into tonight’s NHL Playoffs game.

If the Rangers hope to win this game they will have to get a big game out of their star play Jaromir Jagr.  During the regular season he tallied up 25 goals and 46 assists as he led his team in points, with 71.  Also in the first round match up with the Devils he had 8 points.  The Rangers will try to use Sean Avery to get into the heads of the Penguins.  He is a very gritty and annoying player that can easily frustrate teams.

With all this said, I think the Rangers have more playoff experience, but this young and upcoming Penguins team looks almost unstoppable.  Tonight’s NHL Playoffs game is a critical one, and it will be very entertaining.

View NHL Betting Odds at OnlineSportsHandicapping.com before you bet on NHL Playoffs Hockey at sportsbetting.com

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