Free NHL Picks Today: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning 10/15/22

The Pittsburgh Penguins (1-0-0) host the Tampa Bay Lightning (1-1-0) at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday. The Penguins are -135 favorites, and the total is 6.5. Tampa Bay is playing the second of a back-to-back after earning a 5-2 win over the Blue Jackets yesterday. The Lightning committed four penalties in the game, though they held Columbus without a power play goal. Steven Stamkos was the top goalscorer for the Lightning with two goals. Andrei Vasilevskiy had a great performance with 26 saves (.928%) in the win. Pittsburgh beat the Coyotes 6-2 on Thursday. Six players found the net for the Penguins. Sidney Crosby scored and provided two assists to lead the team in scoring. Tristan Jarry was impressive in the win, making 26 saves (.928%).

HEAD TO HEAD

The Penguins won two of the three games between the teams last season, including a 5-1 victory in their final meeting in March. Evgeni Malkin led Pittsburgh with three points (1G 2A). Jarry got the win, saving 20 of 21 shots (.952%).

FACING OFF

Tampa Bay averaged 3.48 goals per game last season, eighth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Penguins team that allowed 2.71 goals a game (5th). Meanwhile, Pittsburgh found the net 3.28 times a game on average, 11th in the league, and the Lightning allowed opponents to score 2.78 goals per game (6th).The Lightning converted 23.94% of their power play opportunities (8th), 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). Tampa Bay’s PK% of 80.56 ranked No. 11.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With three points early this season, Stamkos is the top skater for the Lightning. He has three goals in two games. In the net, Vasilevskiy (1-1-0) is Tampa Bay’s top goaltender. He has a 2.54 GAA and a .925% save percentage.