In this article, we will formulate a Pittsburgh Penguins vs Colorado Avalanche prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, December 10th 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 12-13-4 this year after they defeated Toronto by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Pittsburgh was tied at two in the second period, but they scored three goals in the third for the win. The Penguins outshot Toronto by a total of 29-27, won 64.7% of the face-offs, and went 2-5 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh got goals from Bunting, Lizotte, Rakell, Rust, and Letang, while Jarry stopped 25 out of 27 shots in the game.
Prior to that win, the Penguins lost to the Rangers by a score of 4-2 but did win the four games prior to that. Pittsburgh has scored 2.86 goals per game and they have allowed 3.72 goals against per game, while also averaging 22.6% on the power play and 79.8% on the penalty kill this season. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh with eight goals, 19 assists, and 87 shots on goal, while Tristan Jarry is 5-3-1 with a 3.68 goals-against average and a .888 save percentage this year.
Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview
The Colorado Avalanche are 16-13-0 this season after they defeated New Jersey by a score of 4-0 in their last game. Colorado scored twice in the first, once in the second, and once in the third for the shutout win. The Avalanche were outshot by a total of 25-24, won 55.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Colorado got goals from Colton, Kelly, Lehkonen, and O’Connor, while Wedgewood stopped all 25 shots that he faced in the game.
Prior to that win, the Avalanche defeated Detroit by a score of 2-1 but did lose to Carolina before that. Colorado has scored 3.24 goals per game and they have allowed 3.55 goals against per game, while also going 26.1% on the power play and 73.7% on the penalty kill this season. Nathan MacKinnon has led Colorado with nine goals, 32 assists, and 115 shots on goal, while Scott Wedgewood is 2-1-0 with a 1.44 goals against average and a .951 save percentage with Colorado this year.
Why the Penguins will beat the Avalanche
- The Penguins have won each of their last four games as home underdogs.
- The Avalanche have lost five of their last seven games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the last eight games between the Avalanche and Penguins.
- The Avalanche have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Penguins have won the second period in seven of their last eight games following a win.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Penguins’ last five home games has gone OVER the total goals line.
- Four of the Avalanche’s last five games as road favorites following a road win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last eight home games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Avalanche’s last four games following a road win.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Sidney Crosby has scored at least one goal in five of his last six appearances with the Penguins as underdogs against the Avalanche.
- Evgeni Malkin has recorded at least one assist in each of his last five home appearances against the Avalanche after playing less than 20 minutes in the Penguins’ last game.
- Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one point in each of the Penguins’ last eight Tuesday games.
- Rickard Rakell ranks T3rd in the Eastern Conference for shootout goals (1) this season.
Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts
- Artturi Lehkonen has scored a goal in four of the Avalanche’s last five road games.
- Nathan MacKinnon has recorded at least one assist in 10 of the Avalanche’s last 12 games as road favorites.
- Nathan MacKinnon has recorded at least one point in each of the Avalanche’s last 13 Tuesday games.
- Nathan MacKinnon ranks 1st in the league for Assists (32) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 32nd in the league for goals against per game this season (3.72).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 32nd in the league for Period 3 goals allowed per game this season (1.41).
- The Colorado Avalanche rank 30th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.55).
- The Colorado Avalanche rank 6th in the league in power play percentage this season (26.14%).
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Colorado Avalanche Prediction
Pittsburgh comes into the game after winning five of their last six games, and they have scored at least five goals in four of those wins. The Penguins are 8-6-2 at home this season, while the Avalanche are 9-6-0 on the road. Colorado has won three of their last four games and they have allowed a total of one goal in their last two. The Avalanche are the better team in this matchup when looking at the whole season, but Pittsburgh is red hot right now and they are at home. Take the Penguins here.