Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word on Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for all the NHL’s games. In today’s matchup, the Nashville Predators take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.
NHL Predictions
Nashville Predators vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Head-to-Head: Predators 0-0 Penguins
Time: 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh; Sportsnet+,
Sidney Crosby and the Penguins take on Steven Stamkos and the Predators in what is sure to be a fun game of hockey.
The Penguins Story
The Pittsburgh Penguins limp into this game having gone 4-3-3 in their last ten. After getting off to a fantastic start to the season, the Penguins are now seeing their first dose of real adversity, with injuries piling up and a string of losses weighing on the team. The Penguins still sit third in the Metropolitan Division, however, owing to their fantastic start to the season. Playing against a struggling Predators team, Pittsburgh needs to put its best foot forward to gain some momentum and continue holding a spot in the playoffs. With a league-leading power play clicking at a 35.7% pace, offence will be the key to the Penguins’ success.
Coming into this game, the Penguins have a handful of key players injured, including forwards Rickard Rakell and Justin Brazeau. In their absence, team leaders Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby have carried the torch. Malkin has scored three goals and 21 points in 17 games, while Crosby has 11 goals and 20 points through the same time frame. The pair of superstars have seemingly found the fountain of youth this season, making an impact while trying to get back to the playoffs. Keep an eye on Swedish superstar Erik Karlsson. Karlsson’s had a terrific start to the year with 12 points in 17 games and markedly better defensive play compared to his past two seasons. Playing in his home country, Karlsson will be looking to make an impact in these pair of games against Nashville.
The Predators Story
The Nashville Predators’ start to this season seems to prove that last year’s disappointing season wasn’t a fluke. The Predators are 5-9-4 this season, and 2-6-2 in their last 10. They sit second-last in the league, just ahead of the Calgary Flames in the standings. There have been issues aplenty for this Nashville squad. They are 26th in goals-for, last in the league for goals-against, with the 22nd-best power play in the league. Their 13th-ranked penalty kill is a respite in a sea of bad performances, but even that hasn’t been able to pull them out of what is shaping up to be a second-straight disaster season for the franchise.
Maybe the biggest reason for these failures has been the lack of production from the Predators’ star forwards. One of three blockbuster signings at the time – Steven Stamkos – has been the biggest offender. In 18 games, the former Stanley Cup Champion and 2x Rocket Richard winner has scored just three goals and an assist in 18 games this season. One of the other big signings as part of that crop – Brady Skjei – has mustered just five assists in 18 games as an offensive defenceman. With the Predators’ expected core players performing as terribly as these two have, the team stands little chance of turning this ship around. However, expect Swedish superstar Filip Forsberg to play hard in his home country here, like Karlsson for the Penguins. Forsberg has scored seven goals and 14 points through 18 games, leading the Predators in scoring.
NHL Prediction
Both the Penguins and the Predators come into this game struggling over their last ten. However, the way each team has gotten here and their underlying stats are far different. While the Predators have a bottom-10 performance in important categories like goals for and goals against, the Penguins have performed well in these crucial areas for indicating success. With two important points on the line, expect the Penguins to come out ahead in this game.
NHL Prediction: Penguins win 5-3
Prop Bet of the Night
Pittsburgh has not struggled with offence this year, but has had issues with keeping the lead once they get it. Expect a high-scoring game that sees the Predators give the Penguins a good fight. A popular prop bet of over 7 with odds of +168 is a good bet here.
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Main Photo: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
The post NHL Predictions: November 14th Nashville Predators vs Pittsburgh Penguins appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.