The Pittsburgh Penguins travel to Raleigh to face the Carolina Hurricanes in a Metropolitan Division clash. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word on Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights and predictions for all the NHLs games. In tonights game, the Penguins look to rebound against one of the top teams in the league.
NHL Predictions
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Head-to-Head: Hurricanes 2-0 Penguins
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: ESPN+; Bally Sports South; Sportsnet Pittsburgh, Sportsnet+
In their third game of the season, the Penguins and Hurricanes find themselves in very different positions. The Penguins are just outside of a playoff spot, among a litany of teams vying for the second wildcard spot behind Tampa Bay. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are third in the Metropolitan Division with games in hand on the second place Devils. With an eight point lead and two games in hand against the fourth place Penguins, Carolina is a strong spot.
The Penguins’ Story
Pittsburgh is coming off a narrow 4-3 shootout loss against the Florida Panthers. Gaining a point in their loss, the team is 17-17-6. Sidney Crosby continues to lead the team in points, scoring 42 points across the first 40 games of the season. With 19 straight point per game seasons, the captain is vying for an NHL record 20th consecutive season achieving this accomplishment. Rickard Rakell continues to stay hot, with a goal against Florida to face overtime. He has 18 goals and 32 points in 40 games. Against a defensively stout Carolina squad, the Penguins will need their offensive weapons to be sharp to get a win. Forwards like Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust and Michael Bunting will also be crucial. They’re wildcards in this NHL prediction as all three have been hot and cold at different times of the season. If the top six can click at the same time, the Penguins offence is skilled enough to outscore many problems they may face.
In net, Tristan Jarry has continued to rebound from his struggles last season and earlier this season. Although he came out with the shootout loss, Jarry pitched a .939 save percentage against Florida. He is 8-6-3 overall this season. His skill will have to be on full display as Carolina is a team that likes to test opposing goalies, as they’re second in the league for shots on goal this season.
The Hurricanes’ Story
The Carolina Hurricanes come into this game jockeying for home ice in the playoffs. With their 23-13-2 record, the team is in a fantastic position heading into the second half of the season. Star forward Martin Necas has been a significant contributor. He’s scored 46 points across 38 games. Behind him, the Hurricanes forward group has seen significant depth scoring. They have 7 players on the team that are over a 0.5 points per game or higher. Forwards like Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov will be key in leading the offence with Necas. Notably, defenceman Shayne Gostisbehere has also found his game, scoring 27 points in 35 games.
The Hurricanes’ incredible defensive core has helped insulate the various goalies used by the team. Although the team has used five different goalies this season, four have winning records. Pyotr Kochetkov is likely in net against Pittsburgh. As a young goaltender in the NHL, Kochetkov is certainly a wildcard for this prediction. He has struggled at times with statistics like just a .902 save percentage and 2.46 goals against average. However, he is 15-7-1, providing the team with goaltending good enough to allow Carolina to impose their system on opposing teams.
NHL Prediction
The Penguins have a chip on their shoulder, trying to jockey for position in the wildcard race. However, Carolina is a team with an excellent system that its players have bought into. As a result, there aren’t any real holes for the Penguins to expose. Expect the Hurricanes to weather any storms Pittsburgh sends their way and hold on for the win.
NHL Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-2.
Prop Bet for the Night
FanDuel’s Total Goals Under 6.5 at a -110 is a solid bet in what’s expected to be a tightly contested, low-scoring game between these teams.
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Main Photo: James Guillory-Imagn Images
The post NHL Predictions: Jan. 5 Pittsburgh Penguins vs Carolina Hurricanes appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.