The Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators will be looking at the NHL standings nightly as both teams fight for Wild Card spots in their conferences and make the Stanley Cup playoffs. With the playoffs looming on the horizon, Pittsburgh and Nashville are both playing better hockey recently and riding winning streaks into Tuesday night.
However, Nashville and Pittsburgh will be hard-pressed to make the playoffs. We’ll review the stats, trends, and odds before making our Penguins vs Predators betting picks.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Nashville Predators Odds
Before we make out Penguins vs Predators betting picks, we start by reviewing the current NHL odds and both teams betting records. As you’ll find out from these odds and the stats to come, making our NHL picks today isn’t going to be easy.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are the moneyline favorite, with odds between -127 and -140 odds. The Nashville Predators are the underdog, with odds from +107 and +115. Pittsburgh has a 29-30 straight-up record, while Nashville has a 29-28 straight-up record.
As the underdog, the Predators are listed at +1.5 on the puck line spread, with odds between -210 and -235. The Penguins are listed at -1.5 on the puck line spread, with odds from +170 and +192. The Predators have a 29-28 ats record, while the Penguins are 29-28 ats.
The total goals line is set at 6.5 total goals, which is standard for most NHL matchups. The over is listed from +100 to -105, while the under is listed between -115 and -125. The Penguins have a 27-30-3 over/under record, while Nashville has a 28-27-2 over/under record.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Nashville Predators Information
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Nashville Predators
Location of the Game: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee.
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 28th, 2023, 8:00 PM ET.
How to Watch: NHLPP | ESPN+, Bally Sports South
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Nashville Predators Analysis
This Penguins vs Predators matchup on the NHL schedule today is the first of two head-to-head matchups this season. These two teams split the 2021-22 season series, with Pittsburgh averaging 2.0 goals per game while Nashville averaged 3.0 goals.
Pittsburgh Penguins Performance Recap and Analysis
When you review the Pittsburgh Penguins schedule, you’ll be as concerned about their playoff hopes as the squad and fanbase. Pittsburgh has won the last two games, defeating Tampa Bay in their last game, while having a 5-5 record in the last ten games.
However, Pittsburgh recently ended a four-game losing streak, with each of the games in the losing streak coming against playoff teams and strong competition.
Offensively, the Penguins are ranked 13th in the NHL, averaging 3.24 goals per game, while having the 13th-ranked powerplay converting at 21.7%. Defensively, Pittsburgh is in the middle third of the NHL, ranked 19th and giving up 3.20 goals against per game. The Pens’ penalty kill is average, ranked 15th, and operating at 79.9%.
An old familiar face leads the Penguins in NHL player stats. Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins with 71 points (26 goals, 45 assists). Another familiar face, Evgeni Malkin, is on a heater right now, having eight points in the last five games.
We expect Tristan Jarry to get the start for the Penguins on Tuesday night. Jarry has a 17-7-5 record, a 2.79 GAA, and a .917 SV%.
Pittsburgh Penguins Key Injuries
Center Ryan Poehling and defenseman Mark Friedman are listed as day-to-day on the Penguins’ NHL injury report and are the only two players expected back in the lineup in the near future.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Trends to Know
The under is 5-0 in Pittsburgh’s last five games against the Central Division. Pittsburgh is 17-7 in the last 24 meetings, while the moneyline favorite is 11-4 in the last 15 games.
Pittsburgh has a 5-4-1 over/under record in the last ten games.
Nashville Predators Performance Recap and Analysis
The Nashville Predators standings are in focus for the rest of the season as Nashville is in a crowded Western Conference fighting to get into the playoffs. Nashville has won three-straight games and four of the last five games.
Nashville has a 6-4 record in the last ten games. Their stats aren’t going to inspire confidence in the team’s chances to make the playoffs or chase the Stanley Cup.
Offensively, Nashville is ranked 24th, averaging 2.91 goals per game, with the 25th-ranked powerplay, converting at 18.7%. Defensively, the Preds are ranked 13th and giving up 2.98 goals per game, while the penalty kill is ranked 14th and operating at 80.7%.
Defenseman Roman Josi leads the Predators with 54 points (17 goals, 37 assists), while Filip Forsberg leads Nashville with 19 goals. However, Tommy Novak has been in the kitchen cooking for the Predators, and everyone has been feasting. Novak has 11 points in the last five games.
Juuse Saros might have started the last four games and five of the last six, but Nashville will need to ride Saros if they plan on making the playoffs. Saros has a 23-16-5 record, a 2.80 GAA, and a .916 SV%.
Nashville Predators Key Injuries
Predators has left-winger and leading goal scorer Filip Forsberg listed as day-to-day alongside center Juuso Parssinen.
Nashville Predators Betting Trends to Know
Nashville has hit the over in five straight games and has a 6-2-2 over/under record in the last ten games. The home team is 13-4 in the last 17 games.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Nashville Predators Betting Picks
Now that we’ve reviewed all the stats, trends, and odds, we need to make our Penguins vs Predators betting picks.
Moneyline
The Nashville Predators might be on a three-game winning streak, but those wins have come against the Arizona Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, and Vancouver Canucks. The Penguins have looked better recently against much strong competition, so we are leaning toward taking the Penguins on the moneyline in what should be a very close matchup.
Spread
There isn’t much to choose from between these two teams, and considering we expect Saros to help keep Nashville close, we are going to take Nashville +1.5 on the puck line spread.
Over/Under Total
While Nashville is on a roll of hitting the over in five straight games, they have played awful hockey teams, while Pittsburgh is 3-1-1 over/under in the last five games. However, we’re going with the under, especially considering some of the recent competition both NHL teams have faced and each game’s results. We think Nashville and Pittsburgh will look more like a playoff game than a 1980s festival of goal-scoring.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Nashville Predators Score Predictions
Our Penguins vs Predators betting picks final score prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins 3 – Nashville Predators 2.
- NHL Picks: Pittsburgh Penguins ML, Nashville Predators +1.5, Under
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