It’s now the Pittsburgh Penguins’ turn to play the role of visitors in this two-game, home-and-away set with the Chicago Blackhawks after losing on Thursday. Will the Pens return the favor and hand Chicago its first loss in five games? Or will the Blackhawks extend their win streak? You can also check out our NBA game preview of Clippers vs. Trail Blazers.
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Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks Betting Preview
[sc:NHL240 ]Just when the Penguins were starting to find their groove, they smashed into a brick wall in the form of Chicago, losing to the defending champions on Tuesday in a 3-2 overtime thriller. Pittsburgh scored 10 goals in its previous two games, but managed to come up with only two despite outshooting Chicago, 36-30.
Notwithstanding the loss, Pittsburgh should be encouraged by the continued excellence of Sidney Crosby, who scored one goal and assisted on another versus Chicago. After a slow start to the season, Crosby now has six goals and four assists over the Pens’ last six games, a stretch that also includes his 2-goal effort in a 5-2 win against the Islanders on January 2.
Another positive the Pens will take to United Center tonight is their shutdown penalty kill that has snuffed all 17 of their opponents’ power play attacks in the past seven games. Overall this season, Pittsburgh is fifth in the NHL with an 84.4 penalty kill percentage.
The Penguins have yet to decide who to start in front of the net later tonight, but it’s likely going to be Marc-Andre Fleury (14-10-3, 2.30 GAA, .926 SV%), who allowed all three goals on 30 shots in the Chicago game.
The Penguins are 6-4 in Fleury’s last 10 road starts.
The Bread Man strikes again. Rookie Artemi Panarin was the man for the Blackhawks in their aforementioned victory over Pittsburgh, as he scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, to help Chicago earn its fourth-consecutive victory. The defending champions now look to start their four-game home stand with another win against the Pens.
Chicago has one of the best home records in the league, sporting a 15-5-1 record at United Center thus far this season.
Patrick Kane, meanwhile, is playing well regardless of location. The left wing forward had two assists on Thursday to improve his NHL-leading totals to 36 assists and 59 points. Kane, who is on another point streak, has two goals and seven assists in the last four outings.
Pittsburgh played the Blackhawks rough in the first meeting, as the Pens recorded 37 hits as against Chicago’s 13. Some penalties would be levied on the Penguins if they were going to do the same approach, which means opportunities for the Blackhawks’ power play. Chicago, however, has gone 0-for-3 on the man advantage in its last two games.
Goalie Corey Crawford is expected to make the start later tonight, and he’ll be carrying an impressive 21-10-2 record to go along with a 2.22 GAA and .925 SV%. He leads the NHL with six shutouts.
Chicago is 3-0 in its last three home games against the Penguins.
