A pair of teams currently on losing skids, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Arizona Coyotes collide at Gila River Arena for an East-West tilt. The puck drops at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 16, and it can be viewed live on Fox Arizona Plus.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Arizona Coyotes Odds
Pittsburgh is 16-17 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.4 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 18 of its outings have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under and just one has pushed. This 2017-18 Penguins team is 6-11 SU on the road.
Pittsburgh has converted on 25.6 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 19th overall, and it has successfully killed off 80.6 percent of all penalties.
Pittsburgh, as a collective unit, has been sent to the penalty box 4.5 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over its last five contests. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 7.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 26.5 saves per game with a .907 save percentage, Matt Murray (12-10-1) has been the primary option in goal for Pittsburgh this year. If Pittsburgh decides to rest him, however, they may roll with Tristan Jarry (5-5-2), who has a .919 save percentage and 2.49 goals against average this year.
Phil Kessel and Sidney Crosby will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Penguins. Kessel (37 points) is up to 15 goals and 22 assists, and has recorded two or more points eight times. Crosby has 13 goals and 19 assists to his credit (and has notched a point in 20 games).
On the other side of the ice, Arizona is 7-27 straight up (SU) and has lost 18.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 34 regular season outings, 19 of its games have gone under the total, while 14 have gone over and just one has pushed. This season, the team is 3-10 SU at home.
Arizona has converted on just 16.0 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 26th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 17th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.1 percent of all penalties.
Arizona players have been penalized only 3.2 times per game in total this season, 3.2 per game over their past five games total, and 3.2 per game over their last five at home. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Antti Raanta (25.7 saves per game) has been the top choice in goal for Arizona. Raanta has four wins, 11 losses, and two OT losses to his name and has maintained a .919 save percentage and 2.79 goals against average this year.
Clayton Keller (12 goals, 12 assists) will pace the offensive attack for the Coyotes.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Arizona Coyotes Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Coyotes, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Pittsburgh has attempted 35.1 shots per contest overall this season (the second-most in the NHL), and 33.7 in its last 10 outings.
The Coyotes are 4-14 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 5-21 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
Arizona is ranked 31st with 5.2 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher, as it has created 6.4 takeaways over its last 10 games and 8.0 takeaways over its last five.
Pittsburgh has scored 2.9 goals per game as a team this season, but is averaging 1.7 goals per match up over its last three games (0-3 SU over that span).
Pittsburgh is ranked 23rd overall with 6.3 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher recently, as the team has forced 8.5 takeaways over its last 10 games and 7.8 takeaways over its last five.
