Carolina Hurricanes vs. Pittsburgh Penguins 10/18/24 – As the NHL regular season progresses, the focus will move towards the upcoming match scheduled for Friday at PPG Paints Arena, in which the Carolina Hurricanes (1-1-0) will face the Pittsburgh Penguins (3-2-0). Since both teams will be eager to get an early edge, expect plenty of action and important points to be won during this matchup. The NHL Network will broadcast the game live while streams will be available on NHL.TV. As these teams meet, it is logical to look for an NHL winning pick from among this tight matchup.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Pittsburgh Penguins 10/18/24
When: Friday, October 18, 2024, at 7:00 PM ET
Where: PPG Paints Arena
TV: NHL Network
Stream: NHL.TV
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Pittsburgh Penguins 10/18/24 Betting Odds:
| Team | PUCKLINE | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricanes | -1.5 (+173) | 6.5 over (-105) | -145 |  |
| Penguins | +1.5 (-199) | 6.5 under (-115) | +117 | |
| ||||
Hockey just keeps growing in Raleigh 👊 pic.twitter.com/mcSaXXBfwC
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) October 18, 2024
The current betting landscape shows the Hurricanes favored on the moneyline, reflecting their strong historical performance against the Penguins. However, with Pittsburgh’s resilient home record, the spread suggests a tighter game. Bettors should keep an eye on the total, where the trend hints at a potential under scenario given the recent head-to-head matchups.
Goaltender Frederik Anders vs. Goaltender Joel Blomqvist
Frederik Anders makes his way to the ice after one game this season which saw him have a high 0.905 save rate. Although the beginning of the season for the Hurricanes has not been as expected, Anders who has a goals against average of 2.06 is a potential candidate to silence the Penguins scorers who have had a quiet season thus far.
On the other side of the ice, Joel Blomqvist has been the Penguin’s goaltender throughout the three games where he has enjoyed 0.913 save efficiency. His prowess could come in handy in blocking the Hurricane’s advances into the Pittsburgh backline. This is all the more so because the Carolina goals are scattered across many players.
When Frederik Anders meets Joel Blomqvist, it is often about the emergent versus the experienced. There is little to no doubt that both goaltenders have come with quite contrasting styles that may completely determine the game. Especially as the matchup is expected to be close, where a goal here or there could determine the game, two strong performances seem vital.
Carolina’s Offensive Strategy: Precision Over Power
The Hurricanes’ offense, led by players like Jordan Staal and Seth Jarvis, has not been explosive but rather precise. Staal, along with Jackson Blake and Jarvis, showcases a shooting accuracy that, while not overwhelming in volume, capitalizes on opportunities. This approach will need to be exceptionally sharp to overcome Blomqvist’s solid goaltending.
Pittsburgh’s Playmakers: The Malkin-Crosby Impact
For the Penguins, the offensive strategy revolves around their veterans. Evgeni Malkin has already contributed significantly with 11 points in 5 games, supported by Sidney Crosby’s six points. This duo’s ability to orchestrate plays and their combined power play contributions could be the key to cracking Carolina’s defense.
Trends
Carolina Hurricanes Betting Trends
Carolina are 9-3 SU in their last 12 games against Pittsburgh.
Hurricanes are 12-6 SU in their last 18 games on the road.
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Carolina’s last 13 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Carolina’s last 6 games played in October.
Carolina are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games played on a Friday.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Trends
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Pittsburgh’s last 15 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh’s last 5 games against Carolina.
Pittsburgh are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Pittsburgh’s last 13 games when playing at home against Carolina.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Pittsburgh’s last 8 games against an opponent in the Eastern Conference conference.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Prediction
All things considered, the match should be evenly balanced, with the Hurricanes having the slimmest of advantages due to their historical trends and the fact that their netminder is in good shape early this season. This cannot be said about the Penguins, though, who have dominated at home and do have strong leaders in Malkin and Crosby.
From a betting perspective, the safest option may actually be to back the under, given the recent head-to-head trends and both goalie’s abilities. For enthusiasts who wish to use moneyline or puckline props, the recommendation is to back the Hurricanes for a straight-up win whilst the value can be with the Penguins with the points. Make sure you place your bets on a top-tier online sportsbook as the game day approaches so that you get the best lines.
Score Prediction: Hurricanes 3, Penguins 2.
