Carolina Hurricanes vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction 12/30/2025 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Hurricanes vs Penguins Prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, December 30th. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Pittsburgh Penguins Preview

The Penguins have 41 points this season with a 16-12-9 record, and are 21-15 ATS and 18-14 in over/under. They have a 7-6-5 home record and a 9-6-4 road record and are sitting 5th in the Metropolitan Division. They are coming off a 7-3 road win over the Blackhawks, and their previous three games were a 3-6 road loss against the Maple Leafs, a 4-3 home shootout win against the Canadiens, and a 0-4 road loss against the Canadiens.

Offensively, the Penguins are averaging 3.14 goals per game and are scoring 29.7% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 3.16 goals per game and are killing 81.7% of their opponent’s power plays.

Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins with 39 points and 20 goals, while Erik Karlsson leads the team in assists with 23. Stuart Skinner is the starting goalie for the Penguins, and he has an 11-11-4 record, with 2.98 GAA and .885 SV%. Arturs Silovs is the backup goalie and he has a 6-5-6 record, with 3.21 GAA and .888 SV%.

Carolina Hurricanes Preview

The Hurricanes have 51 points this season with a 24-11-3 record, and are 16-22 ATS and 19-17 in over/under. They have a 13-6-1 home record and a 11-5-2 road record and are sitting 1st in the Metropolitan Division. They are coming off a 3-2 home overtime win over the Rangers, and their previous three games were a 5-2 home win against the Red Wings, a 2-5 home loss against the Panthers, and a 4-6 road loss against the Lightning.

Offensively, the Hurricanes are averaging 3.29 goals per game and are scoring 17.8% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 2.84 goals per game and are killing 80.2% of their opponent’s power plays.

Sebastian Aho leads the Hurricanes with 35 points and 14 goals, while Shayne Gostisbehere leads the team in assists with 25. Brandon Bussi is the starting goalie for the Hurricanes, and he has a 13-1-1 record, with 2.08 GAA and .911 SV%. Frederik Andersen is the backup goalie and he has a 5-8-2 record, with 3.27 GAA and .869 SV%.

Carolina Hurricanes @ Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Trends: December 30, 2025

Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win

• The Penguins have won eight of their last nine games as home underdogs following a road win.
• The Hurricanes have lost four of their last six games as favorites on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The Hurricanes have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The Penguins have covered the puck line in each of their last six games as home underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Penguins have won the third period in each of their last four night games against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Why the Carolina Hurricanes will win

• The Hurricanes have won each of their last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The Penguins have lost each of their last seven games as underdogs.
• The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The favorites have covered the puck line in five of the Penguins’ last six games.
• The favorites have won the first period in each of the Penguins’ last six games.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Penguins’ last 11 home games against Metropolitan Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the Hurricanes’ last 10 Tuesday road games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Seven of the last eight Tuesday night games between two teams from the Metropolitan Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Penguins’ last eight games.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in six of the Hurricanes’ last seven games following an overtime win.

Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts

• Sidney Crosby has scored the first goal in three of the Penguins’ last four games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Sidney Crosby has scored a goal in six of the Penguins’ last seven home games against the Hurricanes.
• Sidney Crosby has recorded an assist in each of the Penguins’ last five night games at PPG Paints Arena.
• Justin Brazeau ranks 1st amongst qualified players for shooting percentage (28.2%) this season.

Carolina Hurricanes Player Prop Facts

• Nikolaj Ehlers has scored a goal in each of his last six appearances with his team as a road favorite against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Shayne Gostisbehere has recorded at least one assist in six of his last seven appearances after playing the previous day.
• Eric Robinson has recorded at least four shots in each of his last two appearances – equal-longest active streak in the league.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 3rd in the league in power play percentage this season (29.70%).
• The Pittsburgh Penguins have recorded the equal-longest losing streak (8 games) in the NHL this season.
• The Carolina Hurricanes are one of four teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.
• The Carolina Hurricanes rank T5th in the league for goals per game this season (3.29).

Hurricanes vs Penguins Prediction

The Canes are 8-2 in their last 10 meetings against the Penguins and the under is 7-1 in their last 8 meetings.

In this Hurricanes vs Penguins Prediction, the Hurricanes are coming as -130 road favorites. The Canes have been the better team this season with 10 more points and 8 more wins, but are on the second leg of a back-to-back and have been playing better hockey lately, having two straight wins following a three-game losing streak. On the flip side, the Pens are 2-8 in their last 10 games and have been weaker both offensively and defensively than the Canes this season. I like the Canes more in this matchup, despite playing their second game in two nights, so take Carolina on the moneyline on the road in a decent price.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Carolina Hurricanes ML