The Penguins continue their western road trip with a game against the Blackhawks. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word on Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for all the NHL’s games. In today’s game, two non-playoff teams look to provide valuable minutes to players they’ll look to use next season.
NHL Predictions
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Head-to-Head: First meeting of the season
Time: 6:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: ESPN+, Sportsnet+
This is the first of two meetings between Pittsburgh and Chicago this season. The Blackhawks have already been eliminated from playoff contention, while Pittsburgh is too many points out to feasibly have a chance at qualifying. This game will spotlight up-and-coming players for either team.
The Penguins’ Story
The Penguins are coming off a surprise 5-3 victory over the rolling Dallas Stars. A late goal to take the lead against Dallas by Blake Lizotte aided Pittsburgh in snapping the Stars win-streak at seven games. With the win, Pittsburgh is 31-34-12 on the season. This record places them fourth-last in the Eastern Conference, and eighth-last in the league.
Pittsburgh is led in scoring by captain Sidney Crosby. Crosby is coming off a four-point performance, including a hat-trick against the Stars. While players like Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust have received acclaim for their superb offensive seasons, attention is currently on rookie Rutger McGroarty. In the midst of a successful first season the AHL, McGroarty has been afforded the opportunity to play with the Penguins down the stretch prior to the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins playoff run. Through three games in this current stint with the big club, McGroarty has scored three points, including his first NHL goal against the St Louis Blues. Expect McGroarty and fellow AHL star Ville Koivunen to receive a lot of ice-time in this contest.
The Blackhawks’ Story
Having allowed two goals to Alex Ovechkin on Friday night, the Chicago Blackhawks are forever etched in history as the team Ovechkin tied the NHL all-time goal record against. With the 5-3 loss, the Blackhawks fell to 21-45-10 on the season. This abysmal record places them second-last in the NHL, just two points behind the San Jose Sharks, a team that has a game in hand on Chicago.
The two leading point getters for the Blackhawks have had polar opposite reactions to their seasons. Ryan Donato has recorded 29 goals and 59 points in 74 games. His 59 points is already 28 more than his previous career-high of 31. Donato has received a lot of positive reception for his season, breaking out on a struggling Hawks team. Sharing the team lead in points with him is prodigy Connor Bedard. Bedard has shown immense potential as a goal-scorer thus far in his career. However, this season has been shaky at best for the young gun. Bedard scored 61 points in 68 games last season, capturing the Calder trophy in the process. This season however, Bedard has scored just 59 points in 76 games. This drop-off in scoring is concerning for a forward that has also struggled with both face-offs and defensive play. Expect Bedard to get a lot of time playing against fellow generational star Sidney Crosby in this game.
NHL Prediction
It hasn’t been too often that the Penguins were favourites heading into match-ups this season, but this game is one of those times. Expect the Penguins offence led by Crosby and Rakell to defeat this struggling Hawks team.
Prediction: Penguins win 4-2
Prop Bet for the Night
Total Goals Over 5 (-350): Expect a more defensive contest with the Penguins playing for the second day in a row following a game against the Stars yesterday.
Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions; some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
The post NHL Predictions: April 6th Pittsburgh Penguins at Chicago Blackhawks appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.