Carolina Hurricanes vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction NHL Picks 10/18/24

In this article, we will formulate a Carolina Hurricanes vs Pittsburgh Penguins prediction for this NHL game on Friday, October 18th at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview

The Carolina Hurricanes are 1-1-0 this year after they defeated New Jersey by a score of 4-2 in their last game. Carolina trailed 1-0 early in the second period, but they scored the next three goals to get the win. The Hurricanes outshot New Jersey by a total of 31-26, won 55.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Carolina got goals from Aho, Blake, Jarvis, and Gostisbehere, while Kochetkov stopped 24 out of 26 shots in the win. 

Carolina did lose their first game of the season against Tampa Bay by a score of 4-1 and their second game was postponed due to weather. Carolina has scored 2.50 goals per game and they have allowed 3.00 goals against per game, while also going 0% on the power play and 66.7% on the penalty kill this season. There are 12 Hurricanes that have one point so far this season, while Frederik Andersen is 0-1-0 with a 2.06 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage this year. 

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins are 3-2-0 this season after they defeated Buffalo in overtime by a score of 6-5 in their last game. Pittsburgh trailed 3-1 after the first period and 5-4 late in the third, but they scored with under a minute left and won it in overtime. The Penguins outshot Buffalo by a total of 43-33, won 62.1% of the face-offs, and went 2-5 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh got goals from Crosby, Malkin, O’Connor, Puljujarvi, Rakell, and Rust, while Blomqvist stopped 26 out of 28 shots in the win. 

Pittsburgh also has wins over Montreal and Detroit, but they do have two losses against Toronto and the Rangers. Pittsburgh has scored 4.00 goals per game and they have allowed 4.20 goals against per game, while also going 26.7% on the power play and 84.6% on the penalty kill. Evgeni Malkin has led Pittsburgh with two goals, nine assists, and 13 shots on goal, while Joel Blomqvist is 2-1-0 with a 2.86 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage this year. The Penguins will meet the Jets after this game.

Why the Penguins will beat the Hurricanes

• The underdogs have won each of the last four games between the Hurricanes and Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
• The Hurricanes have lost three of their last four games as favorites following a win.
• The underdogs have covered the puck line in seven of the last eight games between the Hurricanes and Penguins.
• The Hurricanes have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games as road favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The Hurricanes have lost the second period in three of their last four games as road favorites following a win.

Total Goals Facts

• Nine of the last 10 night games between the Hurricanes and Penguins at PPG Paints Arena have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Nine of the Hurricanes’ last 10 night games against the Penguins following a home win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Seven of the last eight Friday night games between teams from the same conference have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last 14 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Hurricanes’ last six games.

Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts

• Bryan Rust has recorded at least one point in each of his last 10 home appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Sidney Crosby has scored the first goal in three of the Penguins’ last four games against the Hurricanes at PPG Paints Arena.
• Sidney Crosby has scored a goal in each of the Penguins’ last six games against the Hurricanes at PPG Paints Arena.
• Evgeni Malkin has recorded two or more assists in each of the Penguins’ last four games.

Carolina Hurricanes Player Prop Facts

• Andrei Svechnikov has recorded at least one assist in five of the Hurricanes’ last six games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Sebastian Aho has scored a goal in three of the Hurricanes’ last four games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Sebastian Aho has recorded at least one point in six of the Hurricanes’ last seven games against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Carolina Hurricanes vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction 

Carolina comes into this matchup after only playing two games so far on the season, so they should be well-rested coming into this game. Pittsburgh is 3-2 through five games and they have scored six goals in each of their victories. The Penguins have been much better offensively than I thought they would be this year, but Carolina is a very good defensive team. I actually think Pittsburgh has the advantage in this game because they have played more games this early in the season, so I will take them to get the win at home.