The Penguins take on the Lightning in a Thursday night matchup. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word On Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for NHL’s games. In tonight’s matchup, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay battle for a crucial two points.
NHL Predictions Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Head-to-Head: Lightning 0-0 Penguins
Start Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
How to Watch: TVAS, SportsNet+, SN-Pit, The Spot
Nikita Kucherov and the Tampa Bay Lightning host Sidney Crosby in the Pittsburgh Penguins in a cross-divisional clash.
The Penguins Story
The Penguins come into this game running on a high after a dominant 5-1 win over their rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers. Going 4-3-3 in their last 10, Pittsburgh has put itself in a great position in the Eastern Conference Stanley Cup Playoff Wild Card race. Their .620 points percentage has them currently in the top wild card spot with games in hand on many teams around them. Even in the Metropolitan Division race, the Penguins have games in hand and the tiebreaker on teams ahead of them like the Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils.
The Penguins are led in scoring by their ageless captain, Sidney Crosby. Crosby’s 18 goals and 29 points through 25 games is followed by Evgeni Malkin. Having a bit of a renaissance year, Malkin has scored six goals and 26 points in 25 games this season. This increase in scoring is in part due to the team’s stellar power play, ranking at the top of the NHL, operating at a 33.3% clip. Scoring and power play opportunities will be key to success for the Penguins against a very hot Tampa Bay Lightning squad.
Expect Arturs Silovs to get the start in net. He has struggled recently and boasts a record of 4-4-4 on the season along with a .898 save percentage. However, this is a good time to add our disclaimer, to please check for the very latest lineup news before locking in your daily fantasy roster.
The Lightning Story
The Lightning come into this game off a 2-1 loss to the New York Islanders. Prior to the loss, the Lightning were on an eight-game winning streak, that was cut short by New York just a few days ago. 8-2-0 in their last 10, and an overall record of 16-8-2 on the season, Tampa Bay sits atop the Atlantic Division, four points ahead of the Ottawa Senators. Having their win streak snapped, expect the Lightning play hard against the Penguins. The Lightning are hoping to get back in the win column immediately.
The production of the Tampa Bay Lightning is held up by a trifecta of forwards all playing at above a point-per-game pace. Nikita Kucherov leads the team with 11 goals and 32 points through 24 games. Behind him, Brandon Hagel has 15 goals and 27 points through 25 games, and Jake Guentzel has 14 goals and 27 points through 26 games. Although the lightning are still getting good depth, scoring shutting down, these three keyboards will be a big factor for the Penguins and trying to get a win tonight. Expect Andrei Vasilevsky to get the start in net. The veteran netminder is 11-6-2 this season with a .917 save percentage.
NHL Prediction
The Penguins last result against the Philadelphia Flyers was a promising game. However, the team has been on a downward trend throughout the month of November, which could continue here in December against a very good team. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning are red hot and have respectable depth to support their high-end scoring. Expect the lightning to get back in the win column in this game.
NHL Prediction: Lightning win 5-3.
Prop Bet of the Night
The Lightning and the Penguins both like scoring goals. In contrast, the Lightning have a far better goaltender in net. A popular prop debt of goals over eight with odds of +390 is a great bet for this contest.
Nathan Ray Seebeck – USA TODAY Sports
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The post NHL Predictions: December 4th Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.