Free NHL Picks Today: Carolina Hurricanes vs Pittsburgh Penguins 1/14/23

Free NHL Picks Today: Carolina Hurricanes vs Pittsburgh Penguins 1/14/23
Sat 14th January 2023

The Carolina Hurricanes (-170) host the Pittsburgh Penguins (+145) at PNC Arena on Saturday. The total is 6.5 (O: -105, U: -115)Pittsburgh (21-14-6) is playing the second of a back-to-back after suffering a 4-1 loss against the Jets yesterday.

The Penguins conceded a power play goal while failing to take advantage of their own power play opportunities. Drew O’Connor was the only player to find the net for the Penguins. Dustin Tokarski saved only 36 of 40 shots against (.900%) in the loss.

Carolina (26-9-7) beat the Blue Jackets 6-2 on Thursday. Brett Pesce was the leading goal scorer for the Hurricanes, netting twice. Frederik Andersen had 21 saves.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Hurricanes have won all three games between the teams this season, including a 4-3 (OT) victory in their most recent meeting in December, their third straight win against Pittsburgh. Dylan Coghlan led Carolina with two points (0G 2A).

Brock McGinn, Sidney Crosby, and Bryan Rust were on the scoresheet for Pittsburgh. Antti Raanta got the win despite saving only 24 of 27 shots (.888%).

FACING OFF

Pittsburgh is averaging 3.24 goals per game for the season, 14th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Hurricanes team that is allowing 2.71 goals a game (8th).

Meanwhile, Carolina has found the net 3.17 times a game on average, 17th in the league, and the Penguins are allowing opponents to score 3.05 goals per game (17th).

Carolina averages more shots a game (35.8) than any other team in the league, though the team’s 9.0% shooting percentage ranks 26th. With an average of 32.0 attempts, Pittsburgh ranks 14th.

The Penguins’ 20.98% power play percentage ranks 18th in the league, while the Hurricanes are 26th with a conversion rate of 18.79%.

Pittsburgh has been equally adept at penalty killing, boasting the league’s third-highest PK% at 83.97%. Carolina ranks 12th at 80.41%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 48 points this season, Crosby is the top skater for the Penguins. He has 21 goals and 27 assists in 41 games. In the net, Tristan Jarry (15-5-4) is Pittsburgh’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.75 GAA and a .918% save percentage.

Martin Necas leads the Hurricanes in scoring with 39 points. He has 17 goals and 22 assists. Pyotr Kochetkov (10-4-4) has the best goals against average for Carolina at 2.31, fifth-best in the league. He has a save percentage of .914%.

HOME AND AWAY

Pittsburgh is 10-9-2 away from PPG Paints Arena this season. Carolina is 12-5-1 at home this season. Meanwhile, the Penguins are 2-6 without a day off and 0-5 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Hurricanes are 2-1 with a rest advantage.

SportsTips’ NHL Pick:

Carolina Hurricanes (-210)

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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

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