Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, Preview, and Odds
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The Pittsburgh Penguins face the Carolina Hurricanes in a matchup between two of the better teams in the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins have an 8-7 record and with five wins in their last six games, they have leaped out of the bottom of the division while the Hurricanes have a 9-7 record which is third-best in the division. Both teams are looking to leap to the top of the Eastern Conference and the upcoming game should be a great one.
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Penguins are led by great offense
The Penguins are having a great season with the offense carrying them, scoring 3.53 goals per game. Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, and Evgeni Malkin have scored 24 goals and 32 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has been great as well. Bryan Rust, Reilly Smith, and Lars Eller have combined for 17 goals and 17 assists while defensemen Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang have added six goals and 18 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has carried them but the defense has also stepped up, allowing only 2.80 goals per game. Erik Karlsson and Marcus Pettersson have combined for 2.1 defensive point shares and 39 blocked shots while Ryan Graves and Kris Letang have combined for 1.7 defensive point shares to give the Penguins two great defensive pairings. In addition, goaltender Tristan Jarry has been great with a .910 save percentage and a 2.56 goals-against average on 311 shots with 2.2 goals saved above average.
Hurricanes are led by their offense
The Hurricanes are having a great season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.19 goals per game. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Sebastian Aho, and Martin Necas have scored 15 goals and 23 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has stepped up as well. Teuvo Teravainen, Seth Jarvis, and Stefan Noesen have combined for 18 goals and six assists while defensemen Jaccob Slavin and Brady Skjei have added five goals and 15 assists from the point to put the offense over the top.
While the defense has struggled all season, allowing 3.25 goals per game, the unit has stepped up recently, allowing only three goals in the last two games. Slavin and Skjei have led the top two pairings with 2.5 defensive point shares and 46 blocked shots while Brent Burns and Brett Pesce have combined for 1.7 defensive point shares to provide the Hurricanes with two reliable defensive pairings. The hope is that goaltender Antti Raanta improves as he has a .877 save percentage and a 3.01 goals-against average on 155 shots with -3.9 goals saved above average.
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Best Bets for this Game
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The Hurricanes have looked like one of the best teams in the league this season and they look to control this game from the first period. The Hurricanes, who average 3.19 goals per game, should constantly find the back of the net with Sebastian Aho, Martin Necas, and the rest of the forward unit controlling the puck in the offensive zone and creating open shots with cross-ice and centering passes. The Hurricanes should limit the Penguins offense with Jaccob Slavin, Brady Skjei, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Antti Raanta to make plenty of big saves. The Hurricanes should win the game with a strong performance on their home ice.
Take the Hurricanes money line as home Favorites.
Prediction: Hurricanes (-160)
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Both defenses have looked great in recent games and they look to take over this one from the opening puck drop. The Penguins, who are allowing only 2.80 goals per game, should limit the Hurricanes' offense with Erik Karlsson, Marcus Pettersson, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Tristan Jarry to make plenty of big saves. The Hurricanes, who have allowed only three goals in the last two games, should eliminate the Penguins offense with Jaccob Slavin, Brady Skjei, Brent Burns, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone while goaltender Antti Raanta steps up and blanks the shots on the net. The Under should cover in a low-scoring game with both defenses stepping up.
Take the Under on 6.5 goals.
Prediction: Under 6.5
Mike Fink is a sports writer and a passionate football fan. After graduating from college, Fink picked up the passion he had since being a young child in following and covering all things sports and we are very excited to have him as a part of the StatSalt team. In recent weeks, Mike started a podcast which you can find on Spotify, called "The Mike and Grover Show" and it discusses all things football. He covers all forms of sports betting and also bets on all of the plays he gives out. Mike would advise hockey betting since the odds give you great payouts "Hockey is built to bet the Money Line Underdogs. Be sure and follow him on a daily basis.
