The Pittsburgh Penguins are rolling and opened as a -115 favorite to knock off the Carolina Hurricanes tonight. The Penguins have won 10 of their last 12 games and are firing on all cylinders after having a rough end to 2017. It will be an uphill battle for the Hurricanes, who have dropped three straight games.
SHARK BITES
The total has gone UNDER in seven of the Penguins’ last 10 games vs teams with losing records.
The Penguins are 1-12 SU in their last 13 road games after winning their two most recent road games.
Evgeni Malkin leads Pittsburgh with 70 points this season.
The Penguins will be plenty rested coming into tonight’s matchup, having not played since Sunday. Pittsburgh’s revival has sent shock waves through the rest of the league as the defending Stanley Cup champions are looking like juggernauts in the final leg of the season.
Scoring has been key for the Penguins, who lead the league in goals per game in February at 4.33. Pittsburgh has also been the better team in this matchup, winning eight of the last 10 games vs Carolina and outscoring the ’Canes 31-15 in that stretch.
Carolina is treading water in its hunt for a playoff berth and is only one point back of a wild-card spot. The Hurricanes are 3-6 SU in their last nine games and have not performed well vs their division as they’re 0-6 SU and ATS in their last six divisional games. Carolina has only averaged 2.3 goals per game this month and if bettors are eyeing an upset tonight, they should know that the ’Canes have taken two of three games vs Pittsburgh this season.
The total opened at 6 and an UNDER could be the profitable angle in this tilt. While Pittsburgh’s scoring exploits have been noted, the Pens seem to get stifled vs the Hurricanes as the UNDER has hit in five straight games in this matchup and seven of the last 10.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to side with the Carolina Hurricanes in this one found them earlier as +104 underdogs on the NHL moneyline at Sportsbook. Betting the OVER/UNDER total instead? It was hovering near 5.5 at its open earlier today at Sportsbook and may have moved.
OddsShark prediction models pick the Penguins to win this game 3.9-1.6. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
The Pittsburgh Penguins will try to spoil the party on Friday; they are 35-22-4 this season, while the Hurricanes are 27-23-10. Pittsburgh is 32-27-2 on the totals; Carolina is 25-33-2. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Carolina vs Pittsburgh injuries news.
The OddsShark NHL Power Rankings have the Hurricanes at No. 14 and the Penguins at No. 3 heading into this contest.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Carolina Hurricanes' No. 25-ranked offense (2.7 goals per game) against a Pittsburgh Penguins defense that ranks No. 16 at 2.95 goals per game allowed. The Hurricanes power play has clicked at a 18.95% rate while the Penguins have a 82.35% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Pittsburgh was a 5-2 Sportsbook in its last match on the road against the Blue Jackets. They won as +118 underdogs, while the total score of 7 made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors.
In their last action, Carolina was a 3-2 loser at home against the Devils. Bettors on New Jersey at +155 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (5) sent UNDER bettors home happy as well.
Betting Trends
Pittsburgh is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Pittsburgh's last 11 games
Pittsburgh is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Carolina is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
Carolina is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Carolina's last 11 games
Carolina is 4-11 ATS in its last 15 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Pittsburgh at Florida, Saturday, February 24
Carolina at Detroit, Saturday, February 24
