Blackhawks vs. Penguins Prediction
The Chicago Blackhawks have lost their last two games after a hot stretch to finish December. Does Chicago have a good chance to win as the underdogs tonight at the Pittsburgh Penguins?
Game Snapshot
31 Chicago Blackhawks at 32 Pittsburgh Penguins
Sunday, January 6, 2019
PPG Paints Arena at 8PM ET
TV: NBCSN
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Penguins are a -255 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Blackhawks are a +211 underdog, while the total is set at 6 goals. As of Sunday afternoon, 71 percent of public bets are siding with host Pittsburgh. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Blackhawks fall at Islanders
Chicago lost by a 3-2 score in overtime Thursday night at the Islanders to drop to 15-21-7 on the season. Dominik Kahun gave the Blackhawks a 1-0 advantage in the first period on assists from Brandon Saad and Duncan Keith. New York scored later in the first period and again in the second to grab a 2-1 advantage, but Chicago evened it up again with 14:59 remaining as Patrick Kane scored his 23rd goal of the season on the power play. Erik Gustafsson and Jonathan Toews recorded assists. The Islanders scored the game-winner 1:48 into OT. Collin Delia made 47 saves on 50 shots in the losing effort.
Penguins extend win streak to eight
Pittsburgh won for an eighth straight time Friday night with a 4-0 home shutout victory over Winnipeg. Olli Maatta scored his first goal of the season on the power play to open the scoring in the first period. Marcus Pettersson and Jake Guentzel registered assists. Matt Cullen made it 2-0 later in the first as Zach Aston-Reese and Jack Johnson assisted. Dominik Simon scored for the Penguins (23-12-6) in the second period on an assist from Evgeni Malkin. Kris Letang made it a 4-0 contest in the third period on assists by Sidney Crosby and Cullen. Matt Murray saved all 33 shots sent his way to post the shutout.
NHL Betting Trends
Chicago
The Blackhawks are 0-6 in their last six games playing on two days of rest. Chicago is 1-5 in its last six games versus the Metropolitan Division.
Pittsburgh
The Penguins are 4-0 in their last four games versus the Central Division. Pittsburgh is 1-10 in the last 11 meetings.
Prediction:
Chicago has dominated the series as of late, but these two teams are trending in opposite directions. The Penguins are getting outstanding goaltending from Murray after he was brutal early in the season. His resurgence has made Pittsburgh dangerous as scoring is never an issue on most nights. With the Penguins playing a complete brand of hockey and at home tonight, I’m taking them on the puck line.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: PITTSBURGH PENGUINS PL +100