Offense meets defense at PNC Arena on Sunday as the high-volume shooting Carolina Hurricanes (-125) play host to the suffocating goaltending of the Pittsburgh Penguins (+105). The total is 6 (O: -120, U: +100)Pittsburgh (18-8-4) is coming off a 4-2 win over the Panthers on Thursday, their seventh consecutive win.
The Penguins took advantage of their power play opportunities, scoring twice on three shots while holding Florida without a power play goal. Jake Guentzel led the Penguins with two goals. Tristan Jarry saved an impressive 32 of 34 shots (.941%) in the win.
Carolina (18-6-6) is playing the second of a back-to-back after earning an exciting 5-4 overtime win over the Stars yesterday, their fourth win in a row. Five players found the net for the Hurricanes. Antti Raanta surrendered four goals on 30 shots (.866%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Hurricanes won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 3-2 (OT) victory in November. Brett Pesce (1G 1A), Andrei Svechnikov (1G 1A), and Sebastian Aho (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Carolina. Guentzel and Sidney Crosby each had two points (1G 1A) to lead Pittsburgh. Pyotr Kochetkov got the win, saving 30 of 32 shots (.937%).
FACING OFF
Pittsburgh is averaging 3.50 goals per game for the season, sixth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Hurricanes team that is allowing just 2.63 goals a game (5th). Meanwhile, Carolina has found the net 2.90 times a game on average, 24th in the league, and the Penguins are allowing opponents to score 2.87 goals per game (13th).
Carolina averages more shots per game (35.0) than most teams in the league, ranking third, though the team’s 8.5% shooting percentage is 29th. Pittsburgh has proven up to the task of stopping shots, ranking No. 4 with a team save percentage of .920%.
The Penguins’ 21.78% power play percentage ranks 18th in the league, while the Hurricanes are 26th with a conversion rate of 18.81%. Pittsburgh has been equally strong at penalty killing, boasting the league’s fourth-highest PK% at 82.98%. Carolina ranks 15th at 79.41%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 40 points this season, seventh-most in the NHL, Crosby is the top skater for the Penguins. He is among the league leaders with 17 goals (10th) and has added 23 assists. In the net, Jarry (14-3-3) is Pittsburgh’s top goaltender by goals against average.
He has a 2.63 GAA and a .921% save percentage. Martin Necas and Svechnikov lead the Hurricanes in scoring with 30 and 29 points, respectively. Necas has 13 goals and 17 assists, while Svechnikov has 17 goals and 12 assists in 30 games.
Kochetkov (8-1-4) has the best goals against average for Carolina at 2.01, third-best in the league. He has a save percentage of .923%, fifth-best.
HOME AND AWAY
Pittsburgh has won six in a row away from PPG Paints Arena this season. Carolina is seeking a fourth straight win at home this season. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are 4-0 without a day off and 3-0 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Penguins are 1-1 with a rest advantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Carolina Hurricanes (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
