In this article we will formulate a Penguins vs Maple Leafs prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, November 29th at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins are 12-6-5 this season after they defeated Columbus in overtime by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Pittsburgh trailed 3-1 in the third period, but they managed to tie the game and get the win just 59 seconds into overtime. The Penguins were out shot by a total of 29-24, won 49.2% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh got goals from Crosby (2), Rust, and Letang, while Jarry stopped 26 out of 29 shots, which was an .897 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Pittsburgh defeated the Sabres by a score of 4-2, but lost to the Kraken by a score of 3-2 before that. The Penguins have won three of their last five games and they are currently fourth in the Metro standings with 29 points. Pittsburgh has scored 3.09 goals per game and they have allowed 2.59 goals against per game, while also going 31.4% on the power play and 85.2% on the penalty kill this season. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh with 15 goals and 10 assists, while Evgeni Malkin has added six goals and 18 assists. The projected starting goalie for Pittsburgh is Arturs Silovs, who is 4-3-4 with a 2.74 goals against average and a .907 save percentage this season.
Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Preview
The Toronto Maple Leafs are 10-11-3 this year after they lost to Washington by a score of 4-2 in their last game. Toronto led 2-0 in the second period, but they allowed one goal in the second and three in the third for the tough loss. The Maple Leafs were out shot by a total of 34-22, won 59.3% of the face-offs, and went 0-0 on the power play in the game. Toronto got goals from Knies and Rielly, while Woll stopped 30 out of 33 shots, which was a .909 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Toronto defeated the Blue Jackets by a score of 2-1, but did lose to the Canadiens by a score of 5-2 before that. The Maple Leafs have lost three of their last four games and they are currently seventh in the Atlantic standings with 23 points. Toronto has scored 3.30 goals per game and they have allowed 3.61 goals against per game, while also going 15.0% on the power play and 80.9% on the penalty kill this season. William Nylander has led Toronto with 11 goals and 20 assists, while John Tavares has added 12 goals and 16 assists. The projected starting goalie for Toronto is Dennis Hildeby, who is 0-2-1 with a 3.37 goals against average and a .906 save percentage this year.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win
- The Penguins have won eight of their last nine games as home underdogs following a road win.
- The Maple Leafs have lost four of their last five games as road favorites.
- The Penguins have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games after coming off overtime.
- The Maple Leafs have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Penguins have won the third period in seven of their last eight games after coming off overtime.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Maple Leafs’ last six games as favorites against opponents on a winning streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Seven of the Penguins’ last eight games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Maple Leafs’ last 10 road games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Penguins’ last eight home games against the Maple Leafs.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Erik Karlsson has recorded at least one point in each of his last 10 home appearances against the Maple Leafs.
- Rickard Rakell has scored at least one goal in each of his last six appearances against the Maple Leafs.
- Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Penguins’ last eight games against the Maple Leafs.
Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop Facts
- William Nylander has recorded at least one point in each of his last 11 appearances with the Maple Leafs as favorites.
- John Tavares has scored a goal in each of the Maple Leafs’ last five games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- William Nylander has recorded an assist in each of his last six appearances with the Maple Leafs as favorites.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 2nd in the league in power play percentage this season (30.19%).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 4th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.61).
- The Toronto Maple Leafs rank T29th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.63).
- The Toronto Maple Leafs rank 26th in the league in power play percentage this season (15.00%).
Penguins vs Maple Leafs Prediction
Toronto limps into this matchup really struggling over the last two weeks and they have scored two regulation goals or fewer in five straight. The Maple Leafs are 2-7-0 on the road this year, while the Penguins are 6-3-2 at home. Pittsburgh has won two games in a row and they have scored four goals in three of their last five. Each of these teams has had issues over the last few weeks, but Pittsburgh has some momentum and Toronto continues to find ways to lose. Take the Penguins here.