In this article we will formulate a Carolina Hurricanes vs Pittsburgh Penguins prediction for this NHL game on Sunday, January 5th at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview

The Carolina Hurricanes are 23-14-2 this year after they lost to Minnesota by a score of 4-0 in their last game. Carolina allowed one goal in the first, one in the second, and two in the third for the shutout loss. The Hurricanes were out shot by a total of 27-21, won 61.3% of the face-offs, and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Carolina was led by Orlov, who had four shots on goal, while Kochetkov stopped 23 out of 28 shots in the loss. 

Prior to that game, the Hurricanes defeated the Panthers by a score of 3-1, but did lose to the Blue Jackets by a score of 4-3 before that. Carolina has lost four of their last six games and they are currently third in the Metro standings with 48 points. Carolina has scored 3.45 goals per game and they have allowed 2.76 goals against per game, while also going 25% on the power play and 85.5% on the penalty kill this season. Martin Necas has led Carolina with 15 goals, 31 assists, and 94 shots on goal, while Sebastian Aho has added 12 goals, 28 assists, and 104 shots on goal. Dustin Tokarski is 2-1-0 with a 2.35 goals against average and a .907 save percentage this year. 

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins are 17-17-6 this season after they lost to Florida in a shootout by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Pittsburgh tied the game at two with 40 seconds left in the third period, but they were unable to get the win in overtime or the shootout. The Penguins were out shot by a total of 33-31, won 48.3% of the face-offs, and went 2-7 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh got goals from Crosby and Rakell, while Jarry stopped 31 out of 33 shots in the game. 

Prior to that loss, the Penguins lost to the Red Wings by a score of 4-2, but did beat the Islanders by a score of 3-2 before that. Pittsburgh has lost three of their last four games and they are currently tied for fourth in the Metro standings with 40 points. Pittsburgh has scored 3.03 goals per game and they have allowed 3.63 goals against per game, while also going 26.3% on the power play and 81.3% on the penalty kill this season. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh with 11 goals, 31 assists, and 118 shots on goal, while Evgeni Malkin has added eight goals, 24 assists, and 71 shots on goal. Tristan Jarry is 8-6-3 with a 3.47 goals against average and an .888 save percentage this year. 

Why the Hurricanes will beat the Penguins

• The Hurricanes have won each of their last eight home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The Penguins have lost each of their last seven games at Lenovo Center.
• The Hurricanes have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight road games following a shootout loss.
• The Penguins have lost the second period in each of their last five games as road underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the last eight games between the Penguins and Hurricanes at Lenovo Center have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Ten of the Penguins’ last 11 night games at Lenovo Center have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Six of the last seven games between two teams from the Metropolitan Division have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last 14 road games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Hurricanes’ last 10 games against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Carolina Hurricanes Player Prop Facts

• Jack Roslovic has scored at least one goal in four of his last five appearances against the Penguins.
• Sebastian Aho has recorded at least one point in each of the Hurricanes’ last 12 games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Sebastian Aho has recorded at least one assist in each of his last five home appearances against the Penguins after playing less than 20 minutes in the Hurricanes’ last game.

Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts

• Michael Bunting has scored at least one goal in each of the Penguins’ last three games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Blake Lizotte has recorded a point in six of his last seven appearances with his team as an underdog against the Hurricanes.
• Matt Grzelcyk has recorded an assist in three of the Penguins’ last four games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.

Carolina Hurricanes vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction 

Carolina has been one of the top teams in the NHL for most of the season, but they have struggled recently and they have lost five of their last eight games. The Hurricanes 14-5-0 at home this season and they are scoring nearly 3.50 goals per game. Pittsburgh is just 6-10-4 on the road this year and they are allowing 3.63 goals against per game on defense. Both teams are definitely looking for improvement right now, but I am siding with Carolina, as they are still an elite home team.