The Pittsburgh Penguins (11-8-3) host the Carolina Hurricanes (11-6-5) at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday. Carolina is playing their first of seven games on the road coming off a 3-2 win over the Flames on Saturday, breaking a streak of five defeats in a row. The Hurricanes committed four penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal.
Martin Necas, Seth Jarvis, and Brett Pesce each scored once for the Hurricanes. Antti Raanta saved only 18 of 20 shots (.900%) in the win. Pittsburgh fell 4-1 to the Maple Leafs on Saturday. Rickard Rakell netted the only goal for the Penguins. Casey DeSmith saved only 37 of 41 shots against (.902%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Hurricanes won two of the three games between the teams last season, although the Penguins were 4-2 victors in their final meeting in March. Brian Boyle led Pittsburgh with two points (1G 1A). Pesce and Sebastian Aho were on the scoresheet for Carolina. Tristan Jarry got the win, saving 41 of 43 shots (.953%).
FACING OFF
Carolina is averaging 2.68 goals per game for the season, 28th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Penguins team that is allowing 3.14 goals a game (16th). Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has found the net 3.27 times a game on average, 13th in the league, and the Hurricanes are allowing opponents to score 2.77 goals per game (8th).
Carolina averages more shots per game (35.2) than most teams in the league, ranking third, though the team’s 7.9% shooting percentage is 32nd. Pittsburgh’s average of 33.1 attempts ranks ninth.
The Penguins’ 17.39% power play percentage ranks 26th in the league, while the Hurricanes are 27th with a conversion rate of 16.87%. In terms of defending power plays, Pittsburgh has the league’s ninth-ranked PK% at 81.16%, while Carolina is 17th at 79.49%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 24 and 23 points this season, Necas and Aho have been the top skaters for the Hurricanes. In the net, Raanta (3-2-2) is Carolina’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.54 GAA and a .902% save percentage.Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins in scoring with 28 points (8th in the league).
He has 10 goals and 18 assists in 21 games. DeSmith (3-4-1) has the best goals against average for Pittsburgh at 2.88. He has a save percentage of .909%. Jarry (8-3-2) has played the most games in net for the Penguins this season. He has a 2.90 GAA and a .914% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Carolina has dropped three straight away from PNC Arena this season. Pittsburgh is 4-3-1 at PPG Paints Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Pittsburgh Penguins (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
