Pittsburgh Penguins (46-25-11, third in the Metropolitan Division) vs. New York Rangers (52-24-6, second in the Metropolitan Division)
New York; Thursday, 7 p.m. EDT
LINE: Rangers -139, Penguins +117; over/under is 6
NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Rangers host series opener
BOTTOM LINE: The New York Rangers host the Pittsburgh Penguins to start the Eastern Conference first round. The teams meet Tuesday for the sixth time this season. The Rangers went 3-2 against the Penguins during the regular season. In their last regular season meeting on May 3, the Penguins won 4-3 in overtime. Jake Guentzel led the Penguins with two goals.
New York is 52-24-6 overall with a 14-8-1 record in Metropolitan Division play. The Rangers have a 19-6-2 record in games they have fewer penalties than their opponent.
Pittsburgh has a 13-8-3 record in Metropolitan Division play and a 46-25-11 record overall. The Penguins are 34-7-5 in games they score at least three goals.
TOP PERFORMERS: Mika Zibanejad has scored 30 goals with 52 assists for the Rangers. Andrew Copp has five goals and three assists over the past 10 games.
Guentzel has 40 goals and 44 assists for the Penguins. Sidney Crosby has five goals and nine assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Rangers: 5-4-1, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.8 assists, 3.1 penalties and 7.3 penalty minutes while giving up 2.3 goals per game.
Penguins: 6-3-1, averaging 3.6 goals, 6.3 assists, 3.4 penalties and 7.5 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game.
INJURIES: Rangers: Keith Kinkaid: day to day (upper body), Sammy Blais: out for season (lower body), Tyler Motte: out (upper body).
Penguins: Jason Zucker: day to day (undisclosed), Tristan Jarry: out (foot), Rickard Rakell: day to day (head), Nathan Beaulieu: out (undisclosed), Casey DeSmith: day to day (undisclosed).
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