The Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins face-off for crucial points. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here with Last Word On Hockey. Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for games around the NHL. In tonight’s matchup, the Hurricanes host the Penguins in a potential playoff preview.
NHL Predictions featuring the Carolina Hurricanes and the Pittsburgh Penguins
Penguins Story
Pittsburgh comes into this game off a 7-2 thrashing of the Colorado Avalanche. With the important win, the Penguins are 4-3-3 in their last 10, and have a total record of 34-18-15 this season. With this record, Pittsburgh clings onto the second spot in the Metropolitan Division, tying the New York Islanders while having a game in hand. Meanwhile, the Columbus Blue Jackets trail both teams closely with a two-point deficit. Pittsburgh’s chances of passing Carolina for the top spot in the division is unlikely. However, this game is incredibly important in regard to accumulating points to stay ahead of the aforementioned teams.
Credit Image: © Jordan Teller/ISIPhotos via ZUMA Press Wire
Evgeni Malkin was the star in his return game coming off suspension. He quickly reacquainted himself with the Penguins, scoring two goals and an assist for a three-point game against the NHL’s best team. Erik Karlsson, who has found another gear since Sidney Crosby and Malkin both came out of the lineup, continues to impress as well. Scoring a goal and two assists against Colorado, Karlsson is up to seven goals and 49 points in 62 games this season. Anthony Mantha was another pivotal part of the win with a goal. He’s up to a career high of 26 goals with 52 points in 67 games.
Expect Stuart Skinner to get the start against Carolina after Arturs Silovs got the win against the Avalanche. Skinner is 9-5-4 with an .892 save percentage with Pittsburgh this season. However, now is a good time to remind you to always confirm lineups before locking in any kind of bets.
Hurricanes Story
Carolina comes into this game on the second half of a back-to-back. They lost last night to the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-1. With the loss, the Hurricanes are 7-3-0 in their last 10, with an overall record of 42-18-6 this season. This has been another tremendous season for Carolina, where much of the regular season is more of a tune-up for the playoffs than anything else. The Hurricanes sit comfortably in first place in the Metropolitan Division with a seven-point lead over the Penguins and Islanders. They also rank first in the East, two points ahead of the Buffalo Sabres. This game against the Penguins could end up being a playoff preview, depending on how things shake out come playoff time.
Andrei Svechnikov scored the lone goal for Carolina. He has 25 goals and 58 points this season. It’s Sebastian Aho, however, who leads the team in scoring. He has 24 goals and 68 points in 66 games this season. Another big name this season is Nikolaj Ehlers. Ehlers has scored 20 goals and 52 points in his first season with Carolina. He’s someone the Hurricanes are hoping can help with their scoring troubles when they get into the postseason. Carolina is missing their most productive blueliner, with Shayne Gostisbehere having missed the past five games with injury. It’s unclear if he’ll be able to suit up against the Penguins. In his absence, K’Andre Miller will need to bear a heavier load offensively. Acquired from the New York Rangers in the off-season, Miller has had a successful inaugural season with the Hurricanes. He has four goals and 30 points in 59 games while fitting in well with the team’s system.
With Brandon Bussi appearing in the loss last night, expect Frederick Andersen to play against Pittsburgh. Andersen is 11-11-5 with an .873 save percentage on the season.
NHL Prediction
Getting Evgeni Malkin back is huge for the Penguins, a team that looked completely revitalized against the NHL’s best team in Colorado just a few days ago. Carolina, meanwhile, is coming off a tough loss last night and may struggle to keep up with the energy of Pittsburgh. The Penguins have an edge going into this game.
Penguins win 3-1
Prop Bet of the Night
Expecting a lower-scoring, low-event game of hockey, a popular prop bet of goals under five with odds of +270 is a solid one.
Main Photo: James Guillory-Imagn Images
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