NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Penguins vs Hurricanes (Saturday, January 13)
Via Jeanine Leech/Getty Images. Pictured: Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) tends net during the third period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Arizona Coyotes on December 12, 2023, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
Penguins vs. Hurricanes Odds
| Penguins Odds | +122 |
| Hurricanes Odds | -146 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 -1080 / -112u |
Here's everything you need to know about the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, Jan. 13 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
It’s been an inconsistent 2024 for the Penguins so far while they've struggled to gain any momentum.
They lost to the Canucks in overtime, but only after they came back from a 3-1 deficit.
The Hurricanes are one of the league’s hottest teams, winning six out of their last seven games, including a 6-3 win against Anaheim.
In a battle for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division, Carolina continues to climb up the ranks.
(Ready to get in on the NHL betting action in North Carolina? You’ll soon be able to join in on NC sports betting: The state is expected to come online this year.)
Sidney Crosby nearly helped the Penguins come back on Thursday. At the young age of 36, Crosby has shown no signs of slowing down.
Jake Guentzel has also been on fire as of late with 10 points in his last eight games.
Erik Karlsson is also having a nice season, as well as Evgeni Malkin.
While this team is aging, it still has the juice.
Pittsburgh plays a really strong offensive 5-on-5 game. It’s ranked sixth in expected goals with a 53.84 xGF%. Defensively though, they somewhat struggle with a 2.69 xGA/60.
What’s stunning is that the Penguins’ power play is dreadful this season, only scoring 14.3% of the time. Luckily, the penalty kill saves their bacon for their even strength defensive miscues at 82%.
It’s tough to predict who starts for Pittsburgh since backup Alex Nedeljkovic was pulled early on against Vancouver. Both he and Tristan Jarry played well so far this season, each with nearly identical SV% (.916% and .913% respectively). Although Jarry has by far a better goals saved above expected (GSAx) with a 6.8.
It was a heck of a night from Seth Jarvis on Thursday. Carolina’s co-leading goal scorer put up three points, and he has consistently notched points since early December.
Sebastian Aho is the other leading scorer, registering 17 points in his last eight games. Beyond them, Andrei Svechnikov is averaging a point per game, and Martin Necas is due, with no goals since December 15.
Carolina is elite in all facets of the game. In 5-on-5 play, the 'Canes play to a third-best 55.02 xGF%, and a fourth-best 2.35 xGA/60.
Special teams are just as good. They score on the power play at a 28.8% clip which is second in the league, and the penalty kill is ninth with an 88.3% success rate.
With Pyotr Kochetkov getting injured mid-game against Anaheim, I anticipate Antti Raanta getting the nod. Raanta historically in his career has played to a decently high level. However, this year is a train wreck for the Finn. He’s playing to a horrendous .862 SV% and a -9.1 GSAx.
Penguins vs. Hurricanes
Betting Pick & Prediction
Carolina is the superior team here, but I would venture a guess that goaltending would be a big factor in this game.
Looking at the lines, Pittsburgh is the underdog at +126, and I really think that's feasible. Given that the Penguins have had a hard time generating momentum in the new calendar year, they’re still 6-2-2 in their last 10 games.
On top of that, they have a decent road record of 10-7-3.
Of course, it’s no match for the Hurricanes’ 11-3-4 home record, but no one can be perfect. While Carolina plays nearly perfect hockey in every aspect, Raanta will be a difference. He’s had a horrible season, which includes getting waived. No matter how good the Canes are, you can never count out the Pens who have an exceptional 5-on-5 system.
I’m backing the underdog at plus-value, and think there's a strong chance we see an upset in Raleigh.
Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins ML (+126)
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