The Colorado Avalanche and Pittsburgh Penguins face-off in a rematch from just a week ago. 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 Penguins and Avalanche face-off in Pittsburgh.
NHL Predictions featuring the Colorado Avalanche and the Pittsburgh Penguins
Penguins Story
Pittsburgh comes into this game off a 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. With the loss, the Penguins are 4-3-3 in their last 10 and have an overall record of 35-19-16 on the season. Sitting second in the Metropolitan Division with 86 points, Pittsburgh is in a fierce race with the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders, both of whom trail the Penguins by just one point apiece.
In a game with next to no offence for the Penguins, Egor Chinakhov continued to impress in his first season since being traded by Columbus. With a goal against Carolina, Chinakhov has 13 goals and 25 points in 32 games with the Penguins. Erik Karlsson is another focal point for the team at the moment. Although he failed to register a point in his last game, Karlsson has put up 11 goals and 54 points through 65 games from the blueline, his most productive season with the Penguins yet. In a game against superstars like Nathan MacKinnon, watch for captain Sidney Crosby to try to make a splash. It is always a treat for fans when the friends from Nova Scotia square-off. Crosby has done well since returning from injury, scoring a goal and four points in three games since his return.
In net, expect Arturs Silovs to get the start as Stuart Skinner played in the team’s last game. Silovs is on a good stretch at the moment, with wins in three of his last five starts. He is 16-9-8 with an .894 save percentage this season. However, now is a good time to remind you to always check official lineups before placing any kind of bets.
Avalanche Story
The Stanley Cup favourite Colorado Avalanche are looking to tweak deficiencies in their system ahead of the playoffs. They come into this game off a 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals in overtime. With the win, the Avalanche are 6-3-1 in their last 10, and 46-13-10 on the season. The Avalanche sit at the top of the NHL, their 102 points giving them a five-point lead over the second-place Dallas Stars.
Leading the Avalanche in scoring is superstar Nathan MacKinnon. With 45 goals and 114 points in just 68 games, MacKinnon is in the Hart Trophy and Art Ross scoring title conversations. A big factor in his success has been the explosion of offence from Martin Necas. The centrepiece in the move that sent Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes last year, Necas has established himself in Colorado. Through 66 games, he has an eye-watering 32 goals and 86 points. He’s already smashed his previous career-high in points by 15, doing so in 12 fewer games. From the blue line, watch for Cale Makar. The star defenceman has 20 goals and 70 points from the blue line this season.
With MacKenzie Blackwood starting their last game, expect Scott Wedgewood to play against the Penguins. Wedgewood is 25-5-6 with a .916 save percentage this season.
Prediction
The Penguins are desperate for points and have shown their ability to beat the Avalanche as they did so just a week ago. With Crosby added to their lineup, expect Pittsburgh to battle hard for crucial points and pull out the victory.
Prediction: Penguins win 5-3
Prop Bet of the Night
Expecting another high-scoring game, a popular prop bet of goals over 7 with odds of +140 is a good one.
Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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