Free NHL Picks Today: Vancouver Canucks vs Pittsburgh Penguins 10/28/22

The Vancouver Canucks (+135) play host to the Pittsburgh Penguins (-160) at Rogers Arena on Friday. The total is 6.5 (O: -120, U: +100)Pittsburgh (4-2-1) is coming off a 4-1 loss against the Flames on Tuesday.

The Penguins took advantage of their power play opportunities, scoring once on five shots, while also conceding a power play goal. Evgeni Malkin was the only player to find the net for the Penguins. Casey DeSmith only had 32 saves on 36 shots against (.888%) in the loss.

Vancouver (1-5-2) is returning home for a five-game homestand with the second of a back-to-back after earning an exciting 5-4 win over the Kraken yesterday, snapping a seven-game losing streak. Ilya Mikheyev was the leading goal scorer for the Canucks, netting twice. Thatcher Demko only stopped 32 of 36 shots (.888%).

HEAD TO HEAD

The Penguins won both games between the teams last season, including a 4-1 victory in their final meeting in December. Jake Guentzel led Pittsburgh with four points (3G 1A). Vasily Podkolzin scored Vancouver’s only goal. Tristan Jarry got the win, saving 22 of 23 shots (.956%).

FACING OFF

Pittsburgh is averaging 4.29 goals per game so far this season, best in the NHL. The visitors will be looking to improve on that figure against a Canucks team that is allowing 4.25 goals a game (29th). Meanwhile, Vancouver has found the net 2.88 times a game on average, 24th in the league, and the Penguins are allowing opponents to score 3.00 goals per game (12th).

Pittsburgh averages more shots per game (38.0) than most teams in the league, ranking second. Vancouver has had difficulty stopping shots, ranking No. 28 with a team save percentage of .875%.The Penguins’ 24.14% power play percentage ranks 11th in the league, while the Canucks are 16th with a conversion rate of 22.22%. Penalty killing, however, has been a struggle for both teams, as Vancouver has the league’s lowest PK% at 60.00% and Pittsburgh is fifth-worst at 72.00%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 11 points this season, ninth-most in the NHL, Sidney Crosby is the top skater for the Penguins. He is among the league leaders with seven assists (7th) and has added four goals of his own. In the net, Jarry (4-1-0) is Pittsburgh’s top goaltender. He has a 2.82 GAA and a .923% save percentage.

Elias Pettersson leads the Canucks in scoring with nine points. He has four goals and five assists in eight games. Demko (1-5-1) is the top goalie for Vancouver with a goals against average of 4.05. He has a save percentage of .874%.

HOME AND AWAY

Pittsburgh is 1-2-1 away from home this season. Vancouver is winless at Rogers Arena this season. Meanwhile, the Canucks are 0-1 without a day off and 0-1 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Penguins are 1-0 with a rest advantage.