The Honda Center is playing host to an intriguing matchup as the Pittsburgh Penguins travel to Anaheim to meet the Ducks. It’s the final time that the two clubs will meet in the regular season. AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh will broadcast this East-West matchup, and the opening face-off is at 10 p.m. ET on Friday, February 28.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Anaheim Ducks Odds

Anaheim (+150) is playing the role of underdog to Pittsburgh (-170) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at an even 6 goals. If bettors want to play this matchup’s total, they’ll be looking at odds of -105 for the over and -115 on the under.

Pittsburgh is 37-25 straight up (SU) and has earned 4.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 62 regular season outings, 31 of its games have gone under the total, while 29 have gone over and just two have pushed. This 2019-20 Penguins team is 15-15 SU on the road.

Pittsburgh has converted on 20.8 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 14th overall, and it has successfully killed off 81.4 percent of all penalties.

Pittsburgh, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties just 3.3 times per game overall during the 2019-20 season, 3.6 per game over its last five matchups total, and 3.6 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 7.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.

Averaging 27.4 saves per game with a .927 save percentage, Tristan Jarry (20-11-1) has been the best option in goal for Pittsburgh this season. If head coach Mike Sullivan chooses to rest him, however, the team may turn to Matt Murray (18-15-5 record, .901 save percentage, 2.84 goals against average).

The visiting Penguins have relied on Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust this year. Malkin has 63 points on 21 goals and 42 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 19 different games. Rust has 24 goals and 26 assists to his nameand has registered at least one point in 30 games.

Over on the other bench, Anaheim is 25-38 straight up (SU) and has lost 12.2 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 34 of its outings have gone over the total, while 28 have gone under and just one has pushed. This season, the team is 13-17 SU as the home team.

Anaheim has converted on just 14.7 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that places it in the bottom overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 25th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.5 percent of all penalties.

The Ducks have been penalized 3.9 times per game this season, and 2.0 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 7.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.

John Gibson (27.6 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Anaheim. Gibson has 18 wins, 29 losses, and five OT losses to his name and has registered a mediocre 3.01 goals against average and a poor .903 save percentage this year.

Ryan Getzlaf (12 goals, 27 assists) and Adam Henrique (24 goals, 15 assists) will lead the offensive attack for Anaheim.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Anaheim Ducks Free Picks

NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Over

Notes

Betting Notes

Anaheim is 5-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Pittsburgh is 3-0 in shootouts.

For both of these clubs, the over has hit in three of their past five matchups.

Pittsburgh’s attempted 32.1 shots per game overall this season (ranked 11th in the NHL), and 29.8 in its last five road outings.

Four of Anaheim’s last ten outings have been decided by two or more goals, and the team is 1-3 overall in those games.

This game features two of the more physical defenses in the league. Pittsburgh skaters have dished out the second-most hits in the league (28.4 per game) and the Ducks have handed the 12th-most (22.1).