Credit Image: © Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire

Penguins Story

Pittsburgh comes into this game off a 5-4 win over the Winnipeg Jets in the shootout. After the win, Pittsburgh is 4-3-3 in their last 10. With an overall record of 35-18-15, the Penguins sit second in the Metropolitan Division, gaining much-needed points to stave off the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders. With only 13 games remaining in the regular season, Pittsburgh finds itself caught up in a sprint to the finish, with the Blue Jackets and Islanders trailing closely behind the team. After a crucial shootout win against the Jets, Pittsburgh bought themselves insurance and will need to continue this against the Hurricanes. Even with Carolina leading the East, the Penguins have fared well against the team. They’ve picked up points in all three previous meetings this season, with a 1-0-2 record against the Hurricanes this season.

The story of the game was once again Erik Karlsson. He scored a pair of goals, including the game-tying goal late in the third period, to send Pittsburgh into extra time. Karlsson has been on fire since returning from the Olympic Break. In the 13 games proceeding the break, Karlsson has scored seven goals and 19 points. Egor Chinakhov stays hot as well. With a goal and an assist, Chinakhov is up to 12 goals and 24 points in 31 games since being acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets. He’s shown tremendous chemistry with franchise star Evgeni Malkin, who picked up an assist in the win himself. Bryan Rust has been an unsung hero recently. He’s on a five-game point streak, with five goals and eight points through this stretch.

In net, expect Stuart Skinner to start with Arturs Silovs, having appeared in the win yesterday. Skinner is 9-5-5 with an .889 save percentage this season. However, now is a good time to remind you to always confirm lineups before placing any bets.

Hurricanes Story

Carolina comes into this game off a 4-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in overtime. With the win, the Hurricanes are 6-4-0 in their last 10. With an overall record of 44-19-6, Carolina sits tops in the Metropolitan Division, and two points ahead of the Buffalo Sabres as the top team in the East. In yet another meeting between these two teams over the last couple of weeks, this will be treated more as a tune-up for the Hurricanes, as they get ready for the NHL playoffs.

Young defenceman K’Andre Miller has been a story recently. Acquired from the New York Rangers last summer, Miller has three points in his last five games, including goals in back-to-back games. With six goals and 32 points in 61 games, Miller has quickly established himself as an excellent two-way defender. Rookie defenceman Alexander Nikishin has seen success as well. With a goal against Toronto, Nikishin is up to 10 goals and 27 points through his first 68 games in the NHL. Another player to watch out for is Seth Jarvis. The dynamic winger has three points in his last two games, with 28 goals and 56 points through 61 games this season.

Except Brandon Bussi to start in net. Bussi has struggled recently, with two wins and three losses in his last five starts. However, he’s 26-6-1 this season, with an .896 save percentage.

Prediction

While the Hurricanes are ramping up for the playoffs, the Penguins are battling to make it. Expect Pittsburgh to come out hard and avenge their loss from earlier in the week in this game.

Prediction: Penguins win 5-3

Prop Bet of the Night

Expecting another high scoring game between these two teams, a popular prop bet of goals over 7 with odds of +172 is a good bet.

Main Photo Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

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