The Pittsburgh Penguins (21-11-4) and Nashville Predators (18-12-6) come out of the holiday break for an 8 p.m. ET puck drop at Bridgestone Arena in Tennessee Friday. We analyze the Penguins-Predators sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Penguins at Predators: Projected starting goalies
Matt Murray vs. Pekka Rinne
Murray is 10-6-4 with an .892 save percentage and 2.91 goals against average through 22 starts. He entered the break with two losses in his last three starts, giving up four goals on 14 shots against the Vancouver Canucks in his final outing.
Rinne got the win in four of his last five starts before the break to improve his season record to 13-5-3 through 21 starts. He has an .896 SV% and 2.93 GAA with three shutouts on the season.
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Penguins at Predators: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Friday at 1 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Predators 3, Penguins 1
Moneyline (ML)
The PREDATORS (-134) are modest home favorites over the Penguins (+110). The Preds are 10-6-4 at home for the season and entered the break 6-2-2 over their last 10 games and on a two-game winning streak. The Pens took a 4-1 loss against the Canucks last Saturday but are still 7-3-0 over their last 10 games; however, they’re just 7-7-2 as the road team this season.
Rinne comes into Friday in the better form of two goalies playing well below their career standards this season. It’s enough to side with the home team.
New to sports betting? A successful $10 bet on the Predators to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $7.46.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The PREDATORS (-1.5, +200) can warrant a small wager on the spread in hopes of a win by 2 or more goals. The Preds are just 16-20 against the spread overall and 8-12 at home while the Pens are 17-19 ATS overall but 9-7 on the road.
Five of Nashville’s last seven wins before the break were by 2 or more goals. Each of Pittsburgh’s last four losses was decided by a margin of at least 2 goals.
Over/Under (O/U)
Back the UNDER 5.5 (+105) at plus-money. The Penguins went 4-6-0 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games while the Predators were 6-3-1 against the projected totals. Both goaltenders playing to their potentials following the extended rest period will keep this below the number.
Esten’s NHL betting record: 141-111
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