The Pittsburgh Penguins (20-21-8) head to Honda Center to face the Anaheim Ducks (18-23-6) in what promises to be a compelling matchup between two teams desperate to turn their seasons around.
The Penguins enter the contest having won just three of their last ten games, though they're coming off an impressive 5-1 victory against the Kings, while the Ducks are mired in a four-game losing streak and struggling to find offensive rhythm.
Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell have been bright spots for Pittsburgh, combining for 36 goals and 55 assists this season, while the Ducks' offense has managed just 2.36 goals per game, with Troy Terry and Frank Vatrano leading their scoring efforts.
The goaltending battle could prove decisive, as Penguins' Alex Nedeljkovic (.893 save percentage) looks to outperform Anaheim's Lukas Dostal, who has been a rare positive for the Ducks with a .907 save percentage and 5.5 goals saved above average.
Both teams' defensive units have shown vulnerability this season, with Pittsburgh allowing 3.59 goals per game and Anaheim surrendering 3.15, suggesting this matchup could hinge on which team better addresses their defensive shortcomings.
As these struggling teams prepare to face off at Honda Center, the question remains whether the Penguins' superior offensive firepower or the Ducks' home-ice advantage will prove the deciding factor in this intriguing NHL matchup.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: who will win?
For tonight's Anaheim Ducks vs Pittsburgh Penguins matchup, our predictive model gives the Penguins a 68.67% chance of defeating the Ducks.
Pittsburgh Penguins: 68.67% win probability
- Superior offensive output (148 goals scored vs Ducks' 113)
- Better overall point accumulation (48 points in 49 games vs Ducks' 42 in 47)
- Higher win percentage (20 wins vs Ducks' 18 despite similar games played)
Anaheim Ducks: 31.33% win probability
- Poor defensive record (150 goals against, among worst in league)
- Struggling recent form (LLLLW showing consistency issues)
- Low scoring efficiency (113 goals scored, lowest in Pacific Division)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top NHL experts. Instead of sifting through hundreds of expert analyses across the web, you can rely on our predictions to understand the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing predictions, data, and opinions, and our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. We then average these levels to produce an 'expert opinion' win probability—reflecting the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NHL experts.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins odds
Anaheim Ducks | Pittsburgh Penguins | |
---|---|---|
moneyline | +125 (via bet365 US) | -144 (via FanDuel Sportsbook) |
Key stats
- 1The Anaheim Ducks have won 18 out of 47 matches this season.
- 2The Pittsburgh Penguins have won 20 out of 49 matches this season.
- 3With 42 points, the Anaheim Ducks holds the 13th position in the league standings.
- 4Pittsburgh Penguins's 48 points place them 13th in the rankings.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins form
Anaheim Ducks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins head to head
Anaheim Ducks
17%
Pittsburgh Penguins
83%
Oct 31, 2024
Pittsburgh Penguins
2 : 1
Anaheim Ducks
Nov 8, 2023
Anaheim Ducks
0 : 2
Pittsburgh Penguins
Oct 30, 2023
Pittsburgh Penguins
3 : 4
Anaheim Ducks
Feb 11, 2023
Anaheim Ducks
3 : 6
Pittsburgh Penguins
Jan 17, 2023
Pittsburgh Penguins
4 : 3
Anaheim Ducks
Jan 12, 2022
Anaheim Ducks
1 : 4
Pittsburgh Penguins