The red-hot Carolina Hurricanes hit the road to meet the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
The Penguins are looking to avenge a 3-2 loss in Raleigh on Sunday afternoon, as the Hurricanes won behind rookie Pyotr Kochetkov. Jordan Staal sunk his old team, breaking a 2-2 tie with an even-strength goal at 13:33 of the third period.
Pittsburgh was able to get back on track with a 3-2 win over the visiting Rangers on Tuesday evening behind Tristan Jarry, cashing yet another Under.
Can the Hurricanes stay jolly heading into the holiday break, or will the Penguins give them a lump of western Pennsylvania coal in the stocking? Read my NHL picks and predictions below to find out.
Hurricanes vs Penguins best odds
Hurricanes vs Penguins picks and predictions
The Carolina Hurricanes have managed to win six consecutive games, including the 3-2 win over the Pens last weekend and is also unbeaten in regulation going back 12 games, with a 10-0-2 record over that span. As a result, Carolina has stormed into first place in the Metropolitan Division.
A big reason for the surge by the Hurricanes has been the steadying play of rookie Pyotr Kochetkov, who is a ridiculous 10-1-4 with a 1.94 GAA and .928 SV% with three shutouts through 14 starts and one relief appearance.
Fans in Raleigh were up in arms before last season when general manager Don Waddell traded Alex Nedeljkovic to the Detroit Red Wings, but those critical fans are few and far between now that Kochetkov has lived up to expectations. This is yet another case of letting the professionals do their job, and letting the fans do theirs.
It isn’t going to be easy for the Hurricanes to win in the Steel City, as the Pittsburgh Penguins have won six straight games at home. The last team to win in Pittsburgh was, you guessed it, the Hurricanes.
Carolina won 3-2 in overtime back on Nov. 29, as Kochetkov outdueled Tristan Jarry, and Brett Pesce delivered the game-winning tally. The Penguins thrilled the home fans with the extra attacker, as Jake Guentzel forced OT with just 58 seconds left in regulation to at least secure one point.
This game is going to be close, as both sides are playing very well. The Canes are playing well in all facets, even without Sebastian Aho (lower body), while the Pens are dominating at home.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see these teams need overtime and/or a shootout to determine a winner, but I think the Pens cool off the Hurricanes, and exact a little revenge for last weekend’s narrow win in Raleigh.
My best bet: Under 5.5 (+100 at BetMGM)
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Hurricanes vs Penguins moneyline analysis
It’s been a while since the Hurricanes were an underdog, with the last instance coming...checks notes... yep, on Nov. 29 in Pittsburgh.
Carolina has covered the puck line as an underdog in each of the past two instances, last losing as a ‘dog in Colorado back on Nov. 12 by a 4-1 count. The Hurricanes are 4-1 in the previous five as an underdog on the puck line, winning two of the games outright.
Pittsburgh cashed as the favorite against the Rangers Tuesday and is 7-0 in the past seven as a favorite since a Nov. 26 to the Leafs. It's failed to cover in three of the past four as a fav on the puck line, however.
The Hurricanes are 5-0 in the past five games against Eastern Conference foes, while winning six in a row inside the Metropolitan Division, and Carolina has won five of the past six games on the road.
The Penguins have cashed in 13 of the past 16 games overall, while winning five of the past seven games inside the division, so this is going to be a war between two teams playing very well of late.
The favorite has won 15 of the previous 21 in this series, so that’s why the Penguins get the arrow in their favor. I’d play this very lightly, though, as this is really a coin-flip game.
Hurricanes vs Penguins Over/Under analysis
With “Koochie” in the crease for the Hurricanes, the Canes have been allowing very few goals lately. In his past five appearances, Kochetkov has conceded just five goals, including two against the Pens.
It’s no surprise the Under is 5-1 in the past six games for the Canes, including 5-0 in the rookie’s past five starts in the crease.
The Under cashed for the Pens at a 5-0-2 clip in the previous seven outings overall, while going 9-2-2 in the past 13 games. In addition, the Under has hit in four in a row at home, while going 7-0-2 in the previous nine meetings against Eastern Conference teams, too. The Under is also 6-0 in the past six for the Penguins inside the Metropolitan Division.
It’s hard to find a reason to bet the Over here, and it helps that the Canes continue to be without one of their top-scoring options, Aho, due to injury.
Hurricanes vs Penguins betting trend to know
The Under is 7-2-1 in the past 10 meetings in Pittsburgh while going 17-6-3 in the past 26 meetings in the series overall. Find more NHL betting trends for Hurricanes vs Penguins.
Hurricanes vs Penguins game info
| Location: | PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Date: | Thursday, December 22, 2022 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NHL Network |
