Pittsburgh Penguins vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, 3/18/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Carolina Hurricanes

Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Location: PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC

TV: Fanduel Sports Network

The Carolina Hurricanes (42-18-6) will compete against the Pittsburgh Penguins (34-18-15) at PNC Arena on Wednesday.

The Pittsburgh Penguins were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 7-2 win against the Avalanche in their previous game. Pittsburgh recorded 15 penalty minutes for this game. The Penguins had a good offensive performance in the victory. Additionally, they had 3 chances with extra men on the ice and were able to net 1 goal. In the matchup, they earned a goal on 7 of the 20 shots they attempted.

Pittsburgh Penguins opponents have 200 power play opportunities (11th in hockey) and have a total of 31 goals in those attempts. The Penguins have seen 1,822 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .894. Pittsburgh has tried 1,942 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.8%. When playing at even strength, the Penguins have allowed 163 goals while notching 181 when they are on offense. Pittsburgh is sitting with 191 power play chances and they have notched 48 goals during those advantages, giving them a rate of 25.13%. For the current campaign, they have scored 83 points and their points percentage comes in at .619. With regard to their scoring capabilities, the Pittsburgh Penguins have racked up 229 goals (7th in the league) this season and have conceded 194.

The man protecting the net in this game is Stuart Skinner. The opposition has scored 566 goals against Skinner in his professional career and his goals against average per contest is 2.71. Skinner has played in 215 games throughout his professional hockey career. His save percentage currently is .903 during his 9,322 minutes in the crease. He has amassed a record of 118-67-22 and he was named the starter in 209 games. Throughout his time in hockey, Skinner has 115 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .550. Skinner has seen 5,841 shot attempts taken against him and has accrued 5,275 saves.

When they were on the ice last, Carolina went up against the Lightning in an outing where the Hurricanes got the win by a final of 4-2. They had 2 attempts on the power play in this outing but weren't able to notch a goal. The Hurricanes notched 4 goals of the 35 shots on goal they were seeking.

The Hurricanes are sitting with 185 goals at even strength and 44 goals (11th in professional hockey) while on the power play. Carolina has attempted 2,129 shots (2nd in the league) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 10.76%, while allowing their opponents 1,587 shots. On the season, the Carolina Hurricanes have earned a total of 229 goals, 90 points, as well as a points percentage of .682. They have permitted 189 goals to be scored by way of 152 goals at even strength and 37 goals while they were shorthanded. They have earned 200 chances on the power play and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 22.00%. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 79.89% on their oppositions 184 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage sits at 88.1%.

Across the rink you will find Frederik Andersen protecting the goal. He has racked up 14,316 stops out of 15,674 shots attempted against him, which gives him a percentage of .913. Andersen has amassed a career record of 319-146-58 and has been in goal for 544 games. He has been a starter 530 contests and his ice time sits at 27,469 mins. Andersen's percentage of quality starts comes in at 56.0% and he has qualified for 297 quality starts in his professional career. The opposition is averaging 2.56 goals/game and he has surrendered 1,358 goals altogether.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Pittsburgh

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