Carolina Hurricanes vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, 12/30/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Carolina Hurricanes vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Date: Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Location: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: Sportsnet Pittsburgh

Odds/Point Spread: Hurricanes (-160) Penguins (+132)

The Carolina Hurricanes (23-11-3) are headed to PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday where they will attempt to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins (15-12-9). The line on this contest has Carolina at -160 and Pittsburgh is priced at +132. The total is set at 6.5.

The Carolina Hurricanes were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 5-2 win over the Red Wings in their previous game. Carolina recorded 6 penalty mins in this matchup. The Hurricanes had a solid offensive performance in the victory. In addition, they had 1 attempt on the power play but didn't convert it into a score. For the outing, they converted 5 of the 38 shots they launched.

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In the matter of scoring goals, the Carolina Hurricanes have accounted for 122 goals (5th in hockey) over the course of the season and have given up 106. For the season, they have earned 49 points and their points percentage is .662. Carolina skates onto the rink with 114 power play chances and they have tallied 19 goals during those advantages, giving them a rate of 16.67%. While playing at even strength, the Hurricanes have conceded 86 goals while notching 103 on offense. Carolina has attempted 1,202 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 10.2%. The Hurricanes thus far have had 912 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .884. Carolina Hurricanes opponents have earned 104 power play opportunities (22nd in professional hockey) and have scored 20 goals in those attempts.

The man in goal for this game is Pyotr Kochetkov. Kochetkov has been involved in 125 matchups throughout his NHL career. He has compiled an overall record of 71-38-12 and he has started in 120 games. The opposition has racked up 295 goals versus Kochetkov in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per contest is 2.46. Kochetkov has had 3,080 shots against him and has garnered 2,785 total saves. His save percentage is at .904 for his 6,168 mins played. During his career on the ice, Kochetkov has accrued 65 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .542.

When they were on the ice last, Pittsburgh played the Maple Leafs in an outing where the Penguins ended up taking the loss by a tally of 6-3. They had 1 power play attempt in this game but weren't able to score a goal. The Penguins scored 3 goals out of the 32 shots on goal they attempted.

The Penguins have earned 80 goals at even strength and 29 goals (8th in the league) while on the power play. Pittsburgh has attempted 1,029 shots (21st in the league) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 10.59%, while allowing their opponents 1,022 shots. For the year, the Pittsburgh Penguins have a total of 109 goals, 39 points, in addition to a points percentage of .542. They have permitted 114 goals to be scored by of a combination of 94 goals at even strength and 20 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a tally of 99 power play chances and they have earned a power play percentage of 29.29%. They have a penalty kill percentage of 81.13% on their opponents 106 power play tries, and their save percentage sits at 88.8%.

Across the ice you are going to see Stuart Skinner protecting the goal. He has accrued 4,931 stops out of the 5,460 shots attempted against him, giving him a save percentage of .903. Skinner has earned a career record of 109-65-18 and has played in 200 games. He has been a starter 194 games and has played 9,284 mins. Skinner's quality start percentage comes out to 54.1% and he has earned 105 quality starts in his NHL career. His opposition is averaging 2.73 goals/game and he has surrendered 529 goals altogether.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Carolina (-160)

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