Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Vancouver Canucks taking on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.
NHL Predictions: Pittsburgh Penguins at Vancouver Canucks
2025-2026 Season Series: Vancouver 0-1 Pittsburgh
Time: 6:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), 3:00 p.m. Pacific
How to Watch: Sportsnet+, SN, TVAS, SN-PIT, ESPN+, NHL Centre Ice
Location: Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.
In a Sunday matinee affair, Vancouver continues their eight-game homestand against a surging Penguins squad. Pittsburgh sits at 25-14-11 after 50 games, with 61 points, while Vancouver sits at 17-29-5 after 51 games, with 39 points. This is the second and final meeting between these two teams. The Penguins won the previous game, 5-1, on October 21st.
The Penguins Story
Pittsburgh has been a massive success story so far this season. A team that no one really expected to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs, much less being second in the NHL’s Metropolitan Division, the Penguins are defying age and odds right now. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, 38 and 39 years old respectively, are both still carrying the offence. Both of them have above a point per game. Crosby has 57 points in 50 games, and Malkin has 39 points in 35 games.
Stuart Skinner has also been great in goal since being traded to the Penguins. He has won six of his last seven starts, with impressive numbers to boot. A change of scenery has done wonders for his game thus far. We will see if he can keep that up on a consistent basis.
#LetsGoPens Stuart Skinner Last 7 Starts:
6-1-0
11 GA
1.58 GAA
.933 SV% pic.twitter.com/ZB5hqg81gj— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) January 22, 2026
The Canucks Story
Finally, the Canucks are getting healthier. Their centre core is now back to being a more veteran group, with Filip Chytil and Teddy Blueger back in the lineup. Although they did drop their last game against the New Jersey Devils, they look more poised, and remain a hard-working bunch. That is all Canucks fans can really ask for at this stage of the season. Heck, maybe the young players can just go out there and have some fun. Positive energy and hard work is what we can settle for.
Starting Goalies
Below are the projected starters for tonight’s game. Please check social media for the most updated information before locking in your daily fantasy lineups.
The Capitals will likely start Stuart Skinner for this game. In 33 games this season with Pittsburgh and Edmonton, he has a 17-12-4 record, a 2.67 goals-against-average, and an .894 save percentage. With Pittsburgh alone, he has a 6-4-0 record, a 2.34 goals-against-average, and a .902 save percentage. Needless to say, his stint with Pittsburgh so far has rejuvenated his play.
For Vancouver, we expect Kevin Lankinen to get his fourth-consecutive start. In 27 games this season, he has a record of 7-15-4, a 3.46 goals-against average, and an .884 save percentage.
NHL Predictions
The Penguins are rolling right now, and as they rank in the top ten for goals-for-per-game, they should be able to take advantage of the Canucks and their defensive woes.
Prediction: Penguins win 4-2.
Prop Bets
To wrap things up, here are our anytime goal scorer picks. For the Penguins, count on their star, Sidney Crosby to pot a goal. On the Canucks side, we will pick Filip Chytil to score his first goal since his return.
Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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