Pittsburgh Penguins vs Vancouver Canucks Picks and Predictions November 27th 2024

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Vancouver Canucks November 27th 2024

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Canucks and Penguins. The game is starting at 7:30 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. Get ready to place your bets! The Canucks are favored by -1.5 goals in this non-conference showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 6.5 goals.

Vancouver vs. Pittsburgh Key Information

• Teams: Canucks at Penguins
• Where: PPG Paints Arena Pittsburgh
• Date: Wednesday, November 27th
• Betting Odds VAN -124 | PIT +105 O/U 6.5

The Canucks Can Win If…

Vancouver improved to 11-6-3 with a 3-2 win over the Sharks. The Canucks were favored on the puck line and failed to cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined 5 goals fell short.

San Jose scored first at 17:23 in the second period, but the Canucks responded with three unanswered goals. Pius Suter’s second goal of the game, at 19:34 in the third period, broke a 2-2 tie.

Vancouver took 27 shots on goal but only found the net three times in their 3-2 win over the Sharks. Pius Suter scored twice, bringing his season total to four goals, while Jake DeBrusk added his first goal of the year.

The Canucks were held scoreless in the first period before Suter got them on the board at 5:19 in the second. DeBrusk followed with a goal at 4:22 in the third, and Suter sealed the win with his second goal at 19:34. Vancouver recorded 25 giveaways in the game.

Vancouver’s defense gave up the first goal at 2:37 into the second period and another late in the third, but they held on for a 3-2 win. Kevin Lankinen made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage, and the Canucks’ defense added 5 takeaways and 24 hits.

• The Canucks have posted a 2-1 record in their previous three games. In addition, their puck line record over this stretch is 3-0 while posting a 2-1 over-under mark.
• The Canucks have gone 6-4 over their last ten regular season games. Their record vs the puck line sits at 7-3 in these matchups, while posting a 6-3-1 over-under mark.

The Penguins Can Win If…

Pittsburgh improved to 7-12-4 with a 3-1 win over the Canadiens. The Penguins covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 4 goals fell short of the 6.5 goal line.

Sidney Crosby led the way with two goals, and Blake Lizotte added an empty-netter to seal the victory. The Penguins kept the Canadiens off the board until the 3rd period.

Sidney Crosby led the way for the Penguins with two goals, bringing his season total to 5. He scored early in the first period and added a power-play goal in the second. Blake Lizotte chipped in with his second goal of the season on an empty net with 45 seconds left in the game.

Pittsburgh took 24 shots on goal and had 14 giveaways. Lars Eller picked up his third assist of the season on Lizotte’s empty netter, while Erik Karlsson added his 7th assist on Crosby’s power-play goal.

On the defensive side, the Penguins will look to build off a strong performance in their previous game, where they allowed just 1 goal to the Canadiens. Alex Nedeljkovic made 25 saves, finishing with a 96.2% save percentage. Pittsburgh’s defense also added 5 takeaways, 19 blocks, and 19 hits.

• Through their last three regular season contests, Pittsburgh has a record of 0-3. In these contests, the team went just 1-2 against the spread, while going 1-2 on the over-under.
• Across Pittsburgh’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 2-8. In these contests, the team went just 3-7 against the spread, while going 5-5 on the over-under.

The Lean

If you’re looking for a moneyline pick, my choice is the Penguins to take down the Canucks at home. With the moneyline currently at +105, I’m placing my bet on the Penguins straight-up.

Our projections have the Penguins pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Penguins, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to cover the puck line.

With an over/under line sitting at 6.5 goals, we like this game to remain below that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the under.

Daily NHL Picks & Predictions

Canucks Aim to Extend Road Winning Streak Against Struggling Penguins

The Vancouver Canucks, riding high on an eight-game road-winning streak, will test their mettle against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night. Following a gritty 2-0 victory over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, the Canucks are proving to be road warriors despite struggles at home. Meanwhile, the Penguins, reeling from a string of poor performances, hope to turn their season around on home ice.

Canucks’ Road Resilience

The Canucks’ ability to secure victories away from home has been nothing short of remarkable. Their 8-1 road record starkly contrasts with a lackluster 3-5-3 showing at home. Tuesday’s triumph in Boston, though not pretty, was a testament to their grind-it-out mentality. The Canucks were outshot 32-15 by the Bruins but leaned on an outstanding 32-save performance from goaltender Kevin Lankinen to seal the win.

Coach Rick Tocchet praised his team’s resilience, stating, “They’re not all pretty … but we’ll take it.” This mentality has been pivotal for a team defying the odds on the road.

Goalie Spotlight: Lankinen vs. Silovs

Kevin Lankinen has been a cornerstone of the Canucks’ road success, boasting a 10-3-2 record and winning all eight of his road starts this season. However, Tocchet is expected to give the start against Pittsburgh to Arturs Silovs. The young netminder has struggled this season, managing only one win in five starts (1-3-1) while allowing 20 goals in those outings.

For the Canucks to keep their streak alive, they’ll need a stronger defensive effort to support Silovs, especially after leaning heavily on Lankinen against Boston.

Penguins Seeking Redemption

The Penguins enter the game desperate for a turnaround. They are coming off two crushing home defeats: a 6-1 blowout by the Utah Hockey Club and a 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. With only one win in their last seven games (1-4-2), the Penguins sit near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Their league-worst goal differential (-34) and defensive struggles have been glaring issues.

Pittsburgh goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic highlighted the team’s lack of consistency, stating, “It doesn’t take talent, doesn’t take skill… All it is is just an attitude and a mindset.” The Penguins must rediscover their identity and defensive structure if they hope to climb out of their slump.

Tomasino’s Debut: A Glimmer of Hope

Wednesday’s game will also mark the Pittsburgh debut of forward Philip Tomasino, acquired from the Nashville Predators on Monday. Once a promising prospect, Tomasino has struggled in recent seasons but is eager for a fresh start. Practicing alongside Evgeni Malkin, the 2019 first-round pick has a golden opportunity to revive his career.

“The last two years for me haven’t been what I wanted,” Tomasino admitted. “But all I can look forward to is a future here, and I think it’s going to be really good.”

His debut adds a layer of intrigue to a game that could serve as a turning point for the Penguins.

Keys to the Game

For the Canucks:

1. Defensive Discipline: Supporting Silovs will be crucial to compensate for his inconsistent form.
2. Early Momentum: Scoring early could help the Canucks manage the game without relying on goaltending heroics.
3. Continued Road Confidence: Maintaining their gritty, resilient style could frustrate a struggling Penguins squad.

For the Penguins:

1. Rediscovering Defensive Structure: Limiting mistakes and tightening up defensively is non-negotiable.
2. Capitalizing on Opportunities: With the Canucks playing on back-to-back nights, Pittsburgh must use their rest advantage.
3. Energy from Tomasino: A strong debut from Tomasino could inject much-needed spark into the lineup.

What to Expect

This matchup pits a surging road team against a struggling home squad desperate for redemption. While the Canucks’ road form makes them the favorites, their reliance on Silovs introduces an element of uncertainty. On the other hand, the Penguins have a chance to reset and leverage the excitement of Tomasino’s debut to spark a resurgence.

Will Vancouver’s streak continue, or will Pittsburgh find a way to regroup? Fans can expect a hard-fought contest with both teams eager to prove their mettle.

Conclusion

The Canucks vs. Penguins clash offers a tale of two teams on opposite trajectories. Vancouver’s resilience and road dominance face a Pittsburgh team seeking to turn frustration into fuel. Whether it’s the continuation of a streak or the birth of a comeback, this game promises drama and excitement.