Penguins Look to Stop the Bleeding vs West-Leading Blackhawks

With five Stanley Cups between them in the last eight seasons, there will be plenty of pedigree to go around when the Penguins host the Blackhawks tonight. Both teams have clinched playoff spots and both have already broken the century mark with 103 points apiece heading into the contest but the ’Hawks have had the upper hand in this series of late, winning the last five games against the Pens.

SHARK BITES
  • The Blackhawks are 11-3 SU in their last 14 games on the road.
  • The Penguins are 4-0 SU in their last 4 games at home against teams with winning records.
  • The Penguins haven’t lost 4 consecutive games since a 5-game losing streak in December 2015.

Pittsburgh’s ever-growing injury list forced the Penguins into a major slump and their lack of depth is likely to be a major issue as they get set to face the leaders in the Western Conference and the favorites to win the Stanley Cup. Their superstar defenseman Kris Letang (54.1 percent Corsi) is still sidelined for the foreseeable future and with the Penguins giving up an astounding number of shots since he’s been out, Matt Murray will most likely have to stand on his head tonight against a team that’s averaged 31.1 shots in March.

Despite all these trends, the Penguins opened as a -133 favorite and I think the smart money is on the other side of that. The ’Hawks are 15-8-3 as an underdog this season and the Pens have played just one team in their last eight contests that’s currently in the playoff picture.

A bet that’s all but certain in this slugfest is the OVER. Chicago has posted OVERs in four of its last five games and the Penguins have 26 O’s in 38 home games this season, including in two straight. I’m expecting shots and scoring chances to accumulate quickly in this one and with the immense amount of skill that will be on the ice, I expect more than enough of them to be converted into goals to cash the OVER.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

On the Sportsbook NHL betting line for this matchup, Pittsburgh sat as -133 favorites over at Sportsbook. The total was set at 6 at Sportsbook but may move closer to puck drop.

Odds Shark prediction models pick the Penguins to win this game 3.8-1.8. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.

Chicago Blackhawks vs Pittsburgh Penguins Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

Supporters of the Chicago Blackhawks have seen them go 48-21-7 so far this season, while the Penguins are at 46-18-11. In totals betting, the Pittsburgh Penguins are 44-27-4, while the Blackhawks are 36-29-11. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Pittsburgh vs Chicago injuries news.

This game puts the Pittsburgh Penguins, most recently No. 12 in the Odds Shark NHL Power Rankings, up against the Chicago Blackhawks, who rate a No. 6 in the latest survey.

Statistical Matchup

Offensively, the game matches up the Pittsburgh Penguins No. 1-ranked offense (3.44 goals per game) against a Chicago Blackhawks defense that ranks No. 10 at 2.59 goals per game allowed. The Penguins Sportsbook has clicked at a 22.45% rate while the Blackhawks have a 77.32% rate on the penalty kill.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

In their last action, Chicago was a 5-4 loser on the road against the Lightning. Bettors on Tampa Bay at -118 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (9) sent OVER bettors home happy as well.

Pittsburgh was a 6-2 loser in its last match at home against the Flyers. They lost as favorites, while the total score of 8 made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors.

Betting Trends
  • Chicago is 15-8 ATS in its last 23 games
  • Chicago is 18-6 SU in its last 24 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games
  • Chicago is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games on the road
  • Pittsburgh is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games at home
  • The total has gone OVER in 8 of Pittsburgh's last 9 games at home
  • Pittsburgh is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing Chicago

Next Betting Matchups

Chicago home to Columbus, Friday, March 31st
Pittsburgh at New York, Friday, March 31st

The Blackhawks are 11-3 SU in their last 14 games on the road.away The Penguins are 4-0 SU in their last 4 games at home against teams with winning records.home The Penguins haven’t lost 4 consecutive games since a 5-game losing streak in December 2015.home
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