The Oilers and the Penguins face off in a rematch. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here with Last Word On Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for games around the NHL. In tonight’s matchup, Pittsburgh and Edmonton clash just weeks after an Oilers win in Pittsburgh.
NHL Predictions: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Edmonton Oilers
Head-to-Head: Oilers 1-0 Penguins
Time: 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Penguins Story
The Penguins come into this game off a __ win over the Calgary Flames. With the win, Pittsburgh has points in five straight, as well as points in 11 of 13 games in the month of January. This month swung the momentum the Penguins’ way enough to land them in a playoff spot with just 30-some games left in the season. Against a supercharged Edmonton squad, Pittsburgh will need to continue playing poised, structured hockey to come away with a win.
Depth scoring was the name of the game against the Flames. Star forwards Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in addition to Tommy Novak and Egor Chinakhov, all scored in the win. In the absence of both Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang, the defence of the Penguins has come together to find different ways to pitch in offensively as well. Jack St. Ivany recorded two assists while Ryan Shea recorded one himself. The team-focused game of the Penguins will need to continue to try to beat a high-skilled Edmonton squad.
With Stuart Skinner picking up the win in last night’s game against the Flames, Arturs Silovs will draw in against the Oilers. Silovs is 8-6-8 this season, with a .892 save percentage. He has struggled especially in the shootout, but has also shown the ability to steal sure goals and turn momentum the other way.
Oilers Story
Edmonton comes into this game off a 2-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils. With the loss, the Oilers are 5-3-2 in their last ten games, sitting second in the Pacific Division playoff race. With an overall record of 25-18-8 on the season, Edmonton has a tenous lead over teams trailing them in the playoff picture. Offence has been the primary driver of the Oilers once again. Edmonton has the second-most goals scored in the league, as well as the league’s best power play with a staggering 32.6% success rate. The Oilers have shored up some defensive concerns as well, with their goals-against and penalty kill figures both ranking 12th best in the NHL.
Connor McDavid is yet again at the top of the league in scoring. With 30 goals and 85 points through just 51 games, McDavid ranks second in both goal-scoring and point production in the NHL. Superstar Leon Draisaitl has also continued to excel, his 25 goals and 67 points ranking fifth in the league in points and just outside the top ten in goals. Defenceman Evan Bouchard‘s extension has paid off early dividends, the star player scoring 11 goals and 48 points through 51 games this season. Edmonton has also received valuable secondary scoring support. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman have reprised their roles as crucial support players to the main trifecta. Nugent-Hopkins’ 40 points in 42 games and Hyman’s 31 points in 32 games place them within striking distance of a point-per-game pace. Vasily Podkolzin has built upon his initial season with Edmonton. He has 12 goals and 23 points playing in the top six of the team.
Expect former Penguin Tristan Jarry to start against Pittsburgh. Jarry’s played well in his limited time in Edmonton with a 4-1-1 record and .904 save percentage.
Prediction
As well as the Penguins have played as of late, the Oilers are a team set-up to punish the lacklustre defensive structure of Pittsburgh. Like their last contest, expect a high-scoring game in which Edmonton takes the win.
Prop Bet of the Night
Edmonton and Pittsburgh are two of the more offensive teams in the league. Expecting another explosive game, a popular prop bet of goals over 7 with odds of +176 is a good bet.
Main photo by: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
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