Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey reviews the scheduled games and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will win in head-to-head matchups. Today, we are looking at the game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Anaheim Ducks. Check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Victory+; SN-PIT; KCOP-13; ESPN+
The Ducks (18-23-6) will host the Penguins (20-21-8) at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. This is the second and final of two matchups between the two out-of-conference teams. In their previous meeting, the Ducks scored first but could not stop Sidney Crosby from being the difference maker he so often is. Crosby scored in the third to tie the game and in overtime to win. The game ended with some controversy though, as Cutter Gauthier was clearly hooked immediately before the turnover that resulted in the game winner. In another one of those games where a Ducks goalie had to stand on his head, the Penguins came away with the 2-1 victory.
The Penguins have been unable to establish any consistency all year and recently waived one of their goaltenders. They are 3-4-3 in their past 10 games and are now four points out of the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference with two more games played than the Montreal Canadiens. This may be a sign of the window closing for the Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang trio. Not that they needed any more bad luck, but Malkin’s house was recently broken into as well. In their past five games, Brian Rust leads the Penguins with five points and three goals. Alex Nedeljkovic is the likely starter with a 3.21 goals-against average and .893 save percentage. More impressively, he recently became the first goaltender to ever have a goal and assist in a game.
Home ice did not make much of a difference for the Ducks. Coming off a 1-4-1 road trip, the Ducks lost again on Tuesday night to the Florida Panthers. The Ducks are 2-6-2 in their last 10 games and have looked terrible during that stretch. Earlier in the season, the Ducks would be bailed out by spectacular goaltending. Now, the Ducks are regressing to the mean. Recent performances indicate this team has resigned itself to another lottery pick season. Anaheim’s top scorer in the previous five games is Mason McTavish with a measly three points and two goals in that span. There really is not much more to say than this team is not taking the steps forward that many inside and outside of the organization expected this season. Expect John Gibson to get the start against his hometown team. Gibson has a 2.86 goals against average and .911 save percentage.
In a tightly contested game, the Penguins find a way to grind out an overtime victory against the Ducks. After a back-and-forth affair in regulation, Evgeni Malkin pots the game-winner just 90 seconds into the extra frame. Alex Nedeljkovic stands tall in net, turning aside several high-danger chances, including a breakaway in the final moments of the third period. The Ducks show flashes of promise, with Trevor Zegras tying the game late in the third, but their offensive struggles resurface when it matters most. The win keeps the Penguins within striking distance in the Eastern Conference playoff race while the Ducks are left searching for answers after another frustrating finish.
Prediction: Penguins win 3 -2 in OT
We close out our NHL Predictions for the Penguins vs Ducks with some of our preferred prop bets of the night. Keep an eye on Evgeni Malkin anytime goal (+275).
Note: Always check the latest team news and player statuses before placing any bets, as injuries and other factors can influence game outcomes.
Main photo by: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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