Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and the Chicago Blackhawks will face off against Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel, and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena in an East-West tilt. NBC Sports Network will broadcast the game, and the opening face-off takes place at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 6.
Chicago Blackhawks at Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
The Penguins (-255) are being chosen as the favorites over the Blackhawks (+215), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at an even 6 goals. The odds for betting that total stand at -130 over, +110 under.
Losing 6.3 units for moneyline gamblers, Pittsburgh is 23-18 straight up (SU) overall this year. That early-season winning percentage is right in line with the 47-35 record the team produced during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 41 regular season outings, 18 of its games have gone over the total, while another 18 have gone under and just five have pushed. The team is 12-9 SU at home this season.
The Penguins have been able to convert on 27.2 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s good enough for fifth-best in the league. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked fourth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 84.1 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 27.2 saves per game with a .926 save percentage, Casey DeSmith (12-13-4) has been the principal goalkeeper for the Pens this season. If the Pens decide to rest him, however, the team might roll with Matt Murray (11-7-7 record, .913 save percentage, 2.89 goals against average).
Chicago has lost 10.0 units for moneyline bettors this year and is currently 15-28 straight up (SU). Through 43 regular season matches, 23 of its games have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under the total and just three have pushed. As the road team, the Blackhawks are 7-15 SU so far.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 15.4 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 25th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 32nd overall and it’s successfully defended 73.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Corey Crawford (28.3 saves per game) has been the main option in goal for Chicago. Crawford has six wins, 17 losses, and two OT losses to his credit, and has registered a .902 save percentage and 3.28 goals against average this year.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Free Picks
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Over Pittsburgh’s last ten outings, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 5-1 in those games).
- The Blackhawks are 5-11 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 11-21 in games where they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
- For both of these teams, the over has hit in three of their past five games.
- Chicago is ranked ninth this season with 8.7 giveaways per game. That figure has trended higher lately, as the team’s averaged 10.2 giveaways over its last 10 games and 11.0 giveaways over its last five.
- Pittsburgh has averaged 11.0 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 9.4 giveaways per game (ranked 15th overall).
- The Pens this season have registered the second-most hits in the league (29.2 per game).
