PPG Paints Arena plays host to an intriguing clash as the Vancouver Canucks pay a visit to Western PA to face the Pittsburgh Penguins. The action will get underway at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 27, and you are able to watch this cross-continent matchup live on Sportsnet.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
Pittsburgh (-155) is tabbed as the favorite over Vancouver (+135), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at an even 6 goals. If you want to play the game’s total, you’ll be looking at odds of -105 money on the over and -115 for the under.
The Penguins are 13-11 straight-up (SU) and have not been kind to moneyline bettors (to the tune of -1.4 units) thus far. That early-season winning percentage is right in line with the 44-38 record the team posted during the 2018-19 season campaign. Of its 24 regular season matches, 13 have gone under the total, while 10 have gone over and just one has pushed. Thus far, the team is 9-5 SU at home.
Pittsburgh has converted on 16.2 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked eighth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 85.5 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Pittsburgh has been penalized just 3.0 times per game overall this season, and 4.0 per game over its past five contests. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 6.7 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 24.8 saves per game with a .907 save percentage, Matt Murray (nine wins, nine losses, and four OT losses) has been the primary option in goal for the Penguins this year. If the Pens decide to give him a rest, however, head coach Mike Sullivan might go with Tristan Jarry (4-3-3 record, .945 save percentage, 1.82 goals against average).
Jake Guentzel and Sidney Crosby will each lead the offensive attack for the Penguins. Guentzel (21 points) has produced 12 goals and nine assists and has recorded multiple points on four separate occasions this year. Crosby has five goals and 12 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 10 contests.
Vancouver has lost 1.4 units for moneyline bettors this year and is currently 12-13 straight up (SU). 13 of its games have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. As the road team this season, Vancouver is 7-8 SU.
Vancouver has converted on 25.0 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 10th overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
Vancouver’s players have been penalized 3.9 times per game in total this season, and 3.2 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jacob Markstrom (28.9 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Vancouver. Markstrom has seven wins, nine losses, and three overtime losses to his credit, while registering a .913 save percentage and 2.72 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Canucks, the offense will run through Elias Pettersson (10 goals, 19 assists) and J.T. Miller (10 goals, 14 assists).
Vancouver Canucks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- For both of these clubs, the over has hit in three of their past five matchups.
- Vancouver has managed 27.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Pittsburgh is averaging 35.8 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- The Canucks are 3-2 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Penguins are 6-3 SU in games where they serve more minutes than the opposition.
- Pittsburgh is ranked 15th with 7.5 takeaways per game. That figure has trended upward lately, as the team has created 9.3 takeaways over its last 10 games and 9.2 takeaways over its last five.
- Vancouver is ranked 25th overall with 6.7 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down recently, however, as it’s forced 5.3 takeaways over its last 10 games and 5.0 takeaways over its last five.
