Penguins Story<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh comes into this game off a 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. With the loss, the Penguins are 4-3-3 in their last 10 and have an overall record of 35-19-16 on the season. Sitting second in the Metropolitan Division with 86 points, Pittsburgh is in a fierce race with the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders, both of whom trail the Penguins by just one point apiece.<\/p>\n
In a game with next to no offence for the Penguins, Egor Chinakhov<\/a> continued to impress in his first season since being traded<\/a> by Columbus. With a goal against Carolina, Chinakhov has 13 goals and 25 points in 32 games with the Penguins. Erik Karlsson<\/a> is another focal point for the team at the moment. Although he failed to register a point in his last game, Karlsson has put up 11 goals and 54 points through 65 games from the blueline, his most productive season with the Penguins yet. In a game against superstars like Nathan MacKinnon<\/a>, watch for captain Sidney Crosby<\/a> to try to make a splash. It is always a treat for fans when the friends from Nova Scotia square-off. Crosby has done well since returning from injury, scoring a goal and four points in three games since his return.<\/p>\n In net, expect Arturs Silovs<\/a> to get the start as Stuart Skinner<\/a> played in the team\u2019s last game. Silovs is on a good stretch at the moment, with wins in three of his last five starts. He is 16-9-8 with an .894 save percentage this season. However, now is a good time to remind you to always check official lineups before placing any kind of bets.<\/p>\n Avalanche Story<\/p>\n The Stanley Cup favourite Colorado Avalanche are looking to tweak deficiencies in their system ahead of the playoffs. They come into this game off a 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals in overtime. With the win, the Avalanche are 6-3-1 in their last 10, and 46-13-10 on the season. The Avalanche sit at the top of the NHL, their 102 points giving them a five-point lead over the second-place Dallas Stars.<\/p>\n Leading the Avalanche in scoring is superstar Nathan MacKinnon. With 45 goals and 114 points in just 68 games, MacKinnon is in the Hart Trophy and Art Ross<\/a> scoring title conversations. A big factor in his success has been the explosion of offence from Martin Necas<\/a>. The centrepiece in the move that sent<\/a> Mikko Rantanen<\/a> to the Carolina Hurricanes last year, Necas has established himself in Colorado. Through 66 games, he has an eye-watering 32 goals and 86 points. He\u2019s already smashed his previous career-high in points by 15, doing so in 12 fewer games. From the blue line, watch for Cale Makar<\/a>. The star defenceman has 20 goals and 70 points from the blue line this season.<\/p>\n