CAROLINA HURRICANES @ PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Ice Hockey : North America : NHL
Monday, December 26th, 2011, 6:00PM US
(11:00PM GMT)

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PREVIEW

Even without their captain, Sidney Crosby, this Penguins team are a tough bunch, especially at home. Pittsburgh are 20-11-4 and are at home against the Carolina Hurricanes, who are 12-19-6. Both are on small winning streaks, Pittsburgh without defeat over the last 3, and Carolina in their last 2. I see the visitors getting beaten tonight.

These two teams played each other just over 3 weeks ago in Carolina, where Pittsburgh ran out 3-2 winners. At home, they should prove even more difficult. Carolina were in action last night, beating New Jersey 4-2, which means they are travelling in a back to back game and set for a letdown. Their form previously certainly shows they are not to be trusted to win back to back games on consecutive nights.

James Neal and Evgeni Malkin will be two to watch out for tonight. The Penguins stars have been hot recently, with Neal putting up points in 3 straight games and also netting his 20th goal of the season, helping his team thump Winnipeg 4-1. Malkin leads his team in points, with 40, and is also tops in assists, with 25.

Now, the reason Carolina have done well the last 2 games is the performance of goalie Cam Ward. He was excellent in getting his side the 2-1 win over Ottawa in a shootout on Friday and then again yesterday. However, he has struggled most of the season and has a GAA of 3.20. Besides, he is being given the night off tonight to rest, which is no good thing for the Hurricanes. Pittsburgh have hit Buffalo for 8 goals, Chicago for 3 and Winnipeg for 4 in their last 3 games. That's plenty of offence to bury Carolina here this evening.

BETTING VERDICT

I'm going to take the Penguins to win in regulation.

The Pick :

Pittsburgh to win in regulation

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take the Pittsburgh Penguins -0.5 (Regulation) @ 1.68 (Pinnacle)