The New York Rangers opened this Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins with a 2-1 win Thursday. I think we can expect quite a few more goals tonight as the teams clash at MSG once again before heading to Pittsburgh to continue the series at Consol Energy Center.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. More Open Hockey - With the nerve wrecking first meeting in the series out of the way I expect to see some more open hockey tonight. The Penguins will come out all guns blazing trying to equalize the series while the Rangers can afford to go for it as well backed by a win in Game 1.

2. Trends - These teams have had one day of rest since the first meeting, and this is a situation where the over is 6-2-1 in Rangers last nine. Furthermore, 13 of the last 20 meetings at MSG have climbed over the total, and with a low set line for the total I think we're looking at a tie at worst.

3. X-Factor - The Rangers Derek Brassard needed only 28 seconds before drawing first blood in Game 1 when he gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead. Keep an eye on the 27 year old forward tonight as well as he had two goals and three assists over four regular season meetings with the Pens this season.

Selection: This is a play on PIT@NYR to go over the total(9*)