Just two years ago the Pittsburgh Penguins had won their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship and were looking primed for more. But last year the Pens slipped up in the second round of the playoffs when the eventual Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals finally upset their old nemesis en route to the title. At the time the Pens skated off the ice that failure was considered a mere blip. But the speed bump is now looking like a cliff that Pittsburgh may be driving off. Meanwhile the Edmonton Oilers are again in the midst of a lost season despite having the best young player in the NHL. 2015 NHL top draft pick Connor McDavid is having his best years go to waste.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Date and Time: Wednesday, February 13, 2019, 8 p.m. ET
Location: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
NHL Betting Online Odds at Bookmaker.eu: Check Back Later
Oilers vs. Penguins TV Coverage: NBCSN
Odds Analysis
Despite their recent woes the Penguins are still respected with the general gambling public. To most gamblers they are still considered championship material. Thus, most of the Betting action is going to be on Pittsburgh, especially when the opposing team is considered. Edmonton may draw some bargain hunters and sharps if the price is right at various live betting moments.
Current Form
Pittsburgh has fallen into a slump in which they have lost seven of their last ten games with four of their last six games going under the total. The Penguins now have a precarious one-point lead over the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Pittsburgh is 28-20-5-2 overall with a home record of 15-10-2. Pittsburgh has gone under the total in 11 of their 27 home games.
The only thing that the Oilers have been gushing is a flood of red ink with seven losses in their last eight games. Edmonton has gone over the total in six of their last eight games. The Oilers now stand at 24-26-5 with a road record of 12-11-4. Edmonton has gone under the total in just 12 of their 27 away games. The Oilers trail five other teams for the final Western Conference playoff spot.
Matchup Metrics
Edmonton has NHL rankings that clearly illustrate their plight as one of the worst teams in the NHL. The Oilers are 23rd for goal scoring, 27th for goals against, and 30th for the penalty kill. Their one strength has been a power play that ranks eighth best in the league.
Pittsburgh on the other hand ranks sixth in the NHL for goal scoring, seventh on the power play, 20th for goals against and 10th for the penalty kill.
Goaltending Report
For Pittsburgh Casey DeSmith emerged as a viable alternative when filling in for the injured Matt Murray earlier in the season. DeSmith is now splitting time with Murray. DeSmith has a save percentage of .916 while Murray is at .909.
Edmonton splits time equally between Mikko Koskinen and Cam Talbot. Koskinen has a save percentage of .906 while Cam Talbot is at .893.
Players to Watch
Connor McDavid remains the one point of excellence for Edmonton with his 31 goals and 49 assists. Leon Draisaitl has also been strong with 32 goals and 34 assists.
Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins with 23 goals, 39 assists, and a plus 15 as he is well on his way to the Hall of Fame.
Free NHL Live Betting Odds Pick
The Penguins have won six of their last seven home games against the Oilers and play their best hockey at the PPG Paints Arena. Based on recent form Edmonton simply cannot rate a recommendation and does not have the defensive depth to match up effectively against a still potent Pittsburgh scoring attack.
NHL Live Betting Odds Picks: Pittsburgh Penguins
NHL Live Betting Odds Score Prediction: Penguins 4, Oilers 2
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