{"id":134164,"date":"2022-12-18T07:00:31","date_gmt":"2022-12-18T12:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=134164"},"modified":"2022-12-18T00:15:17","modified_gmt":"2022-12-18T05:15:17","slug":"nhl-predictions-december-18th-with-pittsburgh-penguins-vs-carolina-hurricanes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/12\/18\/nhl-predictions-december-18th-with-pittsburgh-penguins-vs-carolina-hurricanes\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: December 18th with Pittsburgh Penguins vs Carolina Hurricanes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><span class=\"s1\">Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today\u2019s featured game for NHL Predictions is the Pittsburgh Penguins vs Carolina Hurricanes.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h2>NHL Predictions<\/h2>\n<h3>Ottawa Senators vs Minnesota Wild<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Senators 0-1 Wild<\/h4>\n<p>The Ottawa Senators have won four straight and have taken some of the pressure off embattled coach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/smithdj01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">D.J. Smith<\/a>. Ottawa netted a 6-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/f\/forsban01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anton Forsberg<\/a> will likely draw the start in goal for Ottawa with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/talboca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cam Talbot<\/a> going Saturday night.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"Y2IdM0I5QIRZ8LCANIOIDw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1438033407\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'Y2IdM0I5QIRZ8LCANIOIDw',sig:'qBUyxXMeitm-1OQwwjsbucjVpm8xnYkda5Bf392ULq4=',w:'594px',h:'431px',items:'1438033407',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The Minnesota Wild did beat the Senators in the first meeting of the season. Minnesota is also on a four-game winning run and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/z\/zuccama01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mats Zuccarello<\/a> got his first hat trick in seven years Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gustafi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Filip Gustavsson<\/a> is the confirmed starter for the Wild, who are starting to piece it together.<\/p>\n<p>This should be a fun one, but someone has to lose. Minnesota wins a tight one.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Wild win 3-2 in a shootout.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Pittsburgh Penguins vs Carolina Hurricanes<\/h3>\n<h3>Head-to-Head: Penguins 0-1 Hurricanes<\/h3>\n<p>Our featured game is a Metropolitan Division showdown of two red-hot teams. Pittsburgh has won seven straight and continue to stay with the pack in the division. The Pens are seventh in goals for and 10th in goals against. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/j\/jarrytr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tristan Jarry<\/a> will likely get the start in net for the Penguins. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/malkiev01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Evgeni Malkin<\/a> could be a game-time decision for daily and regular fantasy hockey players.<\/p>\n<p>Carolina is 8-0-2 in its last 10 games as its trying to stay near the top of the Metro. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kochepy01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pyotr Kochetkov<\/a> likely gets the start with the Canes going to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/raantan01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Antti Raanta<\/a> the night before. Carolina has a pair of shutouts in its last four games and is fourth in goals against. Both teams play smart games in their own end of the ice.<\/p>\n<p>The over\/under of six could be tempting, but you may want to avoid that. Pittsburgh sneaks away with the road win.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Penguins win 2-1.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>New York Rangers vs Chicago Blackhawks<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Rangers 0-1 Blackhawks<\/h4>\n<p>Don&#8217;t look now, but the New York Rangers have won six straight games. However, they&#8217;ve needed each and every point to keep pace in the division. New York got a rare win from backup <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/halakja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jaroslav Halak<\/a>, which means <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/shestig01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Igor Shesterkin<\/a> gets the call in net. The Blueshirts defence has allowed only one goal in three on the last five games.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s looking like the Chicago Blackhawks want a shot at Connor Bedard. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mrazepe01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Petr Mrazek<\/a> will likely get the start, but check social media before doing anything with this game. The Hawks have lost six straight and it doesn&#8217;t look good with being worst in goals for.<\/p>\n<p>The over\/under of six might a smart play with the Rangers offence humming along.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Rangers win 5-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Winnipeg Jets vs Seattle Kraken<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Jets 1-0 Kraken<\/h4>\n<p>It&#8217;s the second of three meetings between the club as the Winnipeg Jets beat the Seattle Kraken, 3-2, in overtime last time. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/rittida01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Rittich<\/a> likely gets the call with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/helleco01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor Hellebuyck<\/a> starting the night before. Winnipeg is middle of the road in goals for, but fifth in goals allowed.<\/p>\n<p>The Kraken are at <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/10\/17\/seattle-led-by-kraken-offence-not-goaltending\/\" target=\"_self\">100 goals for the season<\/a> and in the mix in the Pacific Division. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/j\/jonesma02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Martin Jones<\/a> likely draws the start for Seattle, which is 29th on the penalty kill. Special teams could tell the story.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a clash of style, but the Jets defence should win out.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Jets win 3-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Calgary Flames vs San Jose Sharks<\/h3>\n<h4>Head-to-Head: Flames 0-0 Sharks<\/h4>\n<p>The Calgary Flames have been struggling most of the season. They&#8217;ve been inconsistent most of the time this year. Calgary has lost five straight and will turn to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/v\/vladada01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Daniel Vladar<\/a> against the San Jose Sharks.<\/p>\n<p>San Jose was expected to struggle, but have won two in a row. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kahkoka01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kaapo Kahkonen<\/a> will get the call, which was confirmed on Friday afternoon. The Sharks do have the third-best penalty kill in the league.<\/p>\n<p>Calgary needs wins and it gets one here.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Flames win 4-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Be sure to check out our NHL Predictions tomorrow.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"qz9UbobqQNZS3qJYwv1M3Q\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1245399551\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'qz9UbobqQNZS3qJYwv1M3Q',sig:'Scnmok7o99Tm4_AlKiMzgMy6UbohUEippMYH42ykmZ0=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1245399551',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":134165,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4524,10,4547,4548,12],"tags":[6015,6010,6233,6012,6122,6109,6123,6060,7170,6110],"class_list":["post-134164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhl-predictions","category-hurricanes","category-hockey","category-nhl","category-penguins","tag-calgary-flames-predictions","tag-carolina-hurricanes-predictions","tag-chicago-blackhawks-predictions","tag-minnesota-wild-predictions","tag-new-york-rangers-predictions","tag-ottawa-senators-predictions","tag-pittsburgh-penguins-predictions","tag-san-jose-sharks-predictions","tag-seattle-kraken-predictions","tag-winnipeg-jets-predictions"],"modified_by":"Dan Mount, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134164","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2352"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=134164"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134164\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/134165"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=134164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=134164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=134164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}