NHL Free Pick: New York Rangers (130)
Fri Apr 25 ‘08 7:00p - Click Here for Current NHL Odds
We picked the New York Rangers to reach the Stanley Cup Finals before these playoffs started, so for our prediction to hold true, they have to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins at least once on the road in this series. Well, there is no time like the present.

The Rangers have allowed the fewest goals in the Eastern Conference this season, permitting just 2.32 goals per game. They have taken a page out of the rival New Jersey Devils’ book this year, becoming more defensive oriented and playing a neutral zone trap, with any offensive opportunities being generated by that defense. Sure, the end result is that they are only scoring 2.60 goals per game themselves, but that is fine when you allow two goals or less a majority of the time. It certainly helps to have Henrik Lundqvist and his 2.24 GAA and .913 save percentage between the pipes.

Now the Penguins are the two seed in the East, but they actually lost the season series to the Rangers 5-3 this year. Furthermore, while Pittsburgh averaged 3.00 goals per game vs. the entire league, they were stifled by the Rangers trap, averaging just a total of 17 goals in the eight meetings. They were held to two goals or less in five of those encounters and to exactly three goals in two others.

Finally, the Rangers have been great underdogs lately, going a lucrative 8-3 the last 11 times they have been cast in this role. Look for their defense to lead them to another upset win here.

NHL Free Pick: Rangers +130