Free NHL Picks Today: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Arizona Coyotes 10/13/22

The Arizona Coyotes and the Pittsburgh Penguins meet to get their seasons underway on Thursday at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins won both games between the teams last season, including a 4-1 victory in their final meeting in March, their eighth straight win against Arizona. Sidney Crosby led Pittsburgh with two goals. Tristan Jarry got the win, saving 20 of 21 shots (.952%).

FACING OFF

Arizona averaged just 2.51 goals per game last season, worst in the NHL. The visitors may face a difficult challenge against a Penguins team that allowed only 2.71 goals a game (5th). Meanwhile, Pittsburgh found the net 3.28 times a game on average, 11th in the league, and the Coyotes allowed opponents to score 3.77 goals per game (30th).The Coyotes were one of the league’s worst power play teams (30th), converting 13.86% of their opportunities, while Pittsburgh’s 84.43% penalty kill percentage ranked as the third-best. The Penguins scored on 20.16% of their power play chances (19th). Arizona’s PK% of 75.00 ranked No. 28.

LAST SEASON’S TOP PERFORMERS:

With 63 points last season, Clayton Keller was the top skater for the Coyotes. He had 28 goals and 35 assists in 67 games. Scott Wedgewood, now with the Stars, was Arizona’s top goaltender by goals against average. He was 13-15-6 with a 3.14 GAA and a .910% save percentage. Karel Vejmelka (13-32-3) is Arizona’s top returning goaltender. He had a 3.68 GAA and a .898% save percentage. Jake Guentzel (40G 44A) and Crosby (31G 53A) led the Penguins in scoring a season ago with 84 points apiece. Jarry (34-18-6) had the best goals against average for Pittsburgh at 2.42. He had a save percentage of .919%.