Back from a four-game road trip and riding a three-game win streak, the Vancouver Canucks seek their first victory on home ice when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night.
Pittsburgh has lost four straight with just a single point to show for it, and that's a big reason the ‘Nucks are -190 home favorites in the NHL odds.
My Penguins vs. Canucks predictions and NHL picks for October 26 have Vancouver taking advantage of a veteran Penguins’ side that’s playing the second night of a back-to-back to close out a forgettable Western Canada road swing.
Penguins vs Canucks prediction
My best bet
Canucks moneyline (-190 at Pinnacle)
My analysis
The Vancouver Canucks took an overtime loss to the Flames and a shootout loss to the Flyers on home ice to kick off its campaign before turning things around on their first road trip of the campaign.
While they opened with a loss to Tampa, the ‘Nucks have wins over the defending champion Panthers, a revenge W over Philly, and a 6-3 whooping of the Blackhawks last time out.
After giving up 13 goals in their first three games, Vancouver has limited the opposition to just five over the last three, bringing its goals against to 2.83, a Top-10 mark. Credit goalie Kevin Lankinen, who’s supposedly just keeping the seat warm for incumbent Thatcher Demko. He’s 3-0-1 on the year with a 1.70 GAA (seventh) and a Top-5 save percentage of .941.
It’s almost a polar opposite of the opposition this Saturday night.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a woeful 31st in goals against, surrendering 4.22 per contest. They’ve coughed up at least four goals in each of their last four games, losing all of them.
On Friday, they were whipped 4-0 by the Oilers, as goalie Joel Blomqvist was peppered with 46 shots. That’s par for the course right now for the Penguins, who surrender an NHL-worst 35.1 shots on goal per game on the season.
Vancouver’s offensive attack should flourish in this matchup as it’s currently 12th in the NHL in goals per game at 3.33. The quartet of J.T. Miller, Brock Boeser, Conor Garland, and Quinn Hughes lead the way with six points apiece.
Penguins vs Canucks same-game parlay (SGP)
Canucks moneyline
J.T. Miller 2+ points
Sidney Crosby anytime goal
Miller got it in gear during the road trip, potting a pair of goals, culminating last game with a season-best three-point night against the Blackhawks.
Last season, the Vancouver center had multi-point games in both meetings with the Penguins. I like him to stay hot on Saturday night.
If the Penguins are to snap out of their funk, it’s likely Sidney Crosby who will play catalyst.
He’s picked up just a single point so far on this trip and has been held pointless in four of his last six, but he’s been pretty potent against the Canucks in recent matchups. Crosby has points in five of the last seven meetings, and has six goals over that span.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Penguins vs Canucks odds
Penguins vs Canucks live odds
Penguins vs Canucks opening odds
- Puck line: Pittsburgh +1.5 | Vancouver -1.5
- Moneyline: Pittsburgh +167 | Vancouver -191
- Over/Under: Over 6.5 | Under 6.5
Penguins vs Canucks trend
Pittsburgh has gone Over the total in four of its last six games. Find more NHL betting trends for Penguins vs. Canucks.
How to watch Penguins vs Canucks
| Location: | Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC |
| Date: | Saturday, 10-26-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Sportsnet |
Penguins vs Canucks latest injuries
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