A busy Saturday night in the NHL features a matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Ottawa Senators. Welcome to NHL predictions here on Last Word on Hockey! Each day, we examine upcoming games and analyze head-to-head matchups. In today’s prediction article, Sidney Crosby and the Penguins visit the Canadian Tire Centre to face Brady Tkachuk and the Senators. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions for all the games in December on Last Word on Hockey!
NHL Predictions
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Ottawa Senators
Head-to-Head: Penguins 0-0 Senators
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST); 4:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST)
TV: ESPN+, Sportsnet+
A fierce matchup in the Eastern Conference wildcard race features the Penguins and Senators. Pittsburgh is 13-14-4, coming off of a 9-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Meanwhile, Linus Ullmark and the Senators shut out the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 just last night. The Senators are 14-13-2.
The Penguins’ Story
The Penguins are on an upswing. Following a difficult start to the season, they’ve gone 6-2 in their last eight games. New acquisitions like Blake Lizotte and Phillip Tomasino have been significant contributors during this recent stretch. Meanwhile, Sidney Crosby is leading the team with 30 points in 31 games. Veteran wingers Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust have also been productive. Rakell with 22 points and Rust with 20.
In net, Tristan Jarry is likely to get the start. Jarry has been phenomonal as of late, with five wins in his last six games. Jarry is in the midst of rehabbing his game and a win against Ottawa could be a great boost for the netminder.
The Senators’ Story
Ottawa is another team on the upswing. They’re 6-3-1 in their last 10, pushing for a spot in the Atlantic. Superstar centre Tim Stutzle leads the way for Ottawa with 36 points in 29 games. Behind him, Drake Batherson has been having a breakout season with 32 points in 29 games. The Senators have also been receiving a litany of depth scoring. Players like Adam Gaudette and Claude Giroux have been excellent supporting options for the big players.
In net, Anton Forsberg is likely to start due to Linus Ullmark’s starting of the Senators game against Carolina. Forsberg is 4-6 with a .889 save percentage. As Ottawa is in a fierce playoff race in the Atlantic, expect Forsberg to have a short leash should Pittsburgh get their offence going. Ullmark has been turning his season around and could be a significant factor should Ottawa choose to involve him in the game.
NHL Predictions Time
Both teams have had ups and downs this season. While both teams are trending upwards, Ottawa is coming off a gruelling victory against Carolina. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has an extra day of rest and will likely start Tristan Jarry. Expect Pittsburgh to take this one.
Prediction: Penguins win 3-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
Rickard Rakell is on a hot streak this season with 13 goals and 22 points in 31 games. FanDuel’s Anytime Goal Scorer bet for Rakell is at +240 and could be a great bet to make.
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Main Photo: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
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