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Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Anaheim Ducks Picks & NHL Preview

Pens vs Ducks NHL Line & Handicapping

Conference Leaders Clash – Pens Visit Ducks Friday Night

The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Anaheim Ducks meet in what is the marquee matchup on the NHL’s Friday night schedule with both teams looking to snap out of recent funks and looking to hold off their pursuers in their respective Conferences.

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Pittsburgh (41-17-2-2) at Anaheim (43-14-1-5)
When: 10:00 PM ET, Friday, March 7, 2014
Where: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
Broadcast: ROOT, PRIME
Pens vs. Ducks Betting Lines
Pittsburgh Penguins +1½ -245 +125 Ov 5½ -104 Ov 2½ -120 Un 2½ -110
Anaheim Ducks -1½ +205 -138 Un 5½ -106 Ov 2½ -165 Un 2½ +135
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Matchup | *Insiders* Preview

The Pens hold just a one point advantage in the East on the heels of a 1-2-1 post-Olympic stretch while the Ducks suddenly have some company in the form of the St. Louis Blues who are two points back in the West. The Ducks are just 5-4-1 in their last 10 games overall. Pittsburgh posted a 3-1 home victory over Anaheim on Nov. 18 as Brian Gibbons recorded a goal and an assist.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have gone just 1-2-2 in their last five games and it is no secret why. The team has given up 21 goals over that span and have surrendered 11 goals in their last three games. Pittsburgh game up five last night en route to a 5-3 loss at San Jose.

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Defense continues to be an issue for the Pens – they surrender an average of 2.47 goals per game. It is only thanks to their 3.13 goals for per game that has them atop the Eastern Conference standings. Marc-Andre Fleury is just 1-1-1 with a 3.57 GAA and .875 save percentage in his last three games – something that is going to have to change going forward. Sidney Crosby was a career-worst minus five last night against the Sharks which speaks to the defensive deficiencies for this team right now.

Kris Kunitz scored last night and is slowly working out of his slump – he has a goal in each of his last two games while D-Man Olli Maatta netted two against the Sharks and now has six points in five games. Crosby was held off the score sheet last night and will be motivated to go tonight and erase the memory of his worst game as a Pro. As mentioned though, it likely won’t be the offense that is the problem for the Pens, it is the defense and goaltending that will likely decide the outcome of this game.
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Remember when the Anaheim Ducks were absolutely unbeatable on home ice? They started the season 20-0-2 at home but have since gone 4-5-1 at the Honda Center. Ryan Getzlaf has just one goal and one assist in his last six games at home while Corey Perry has just three points in his last six home games. Getzlaf has just one point in his three games since returning from the Olympics – not a great sign for a team that has Stanley Cup aspirations.

Anaheim is 3-0-1 in their last four games overall but is coming off a 4-3 shootout loss to the Habs Wednesday – Teemu Selanne sat that game out with the flu but hopes to return Friday. It is unclear who will be between the pipes for Anaheim but either way they seem to be in good hands. Jonas Hiller is 2-0-1 in his last three starts with a 1.62 GAA and .943 save percentage and Frederik Andersen is 5-1-0 with a 2.20 GAA and .938 save percentage in his last seven.

Dave’s FREE NHL Betting Prediction

A few trends to consider:
• PIT are 10-3 in their last 13 vs. Pacific.
• Over is 5-2-1 in PIT last 8 vs. Pacific.
• PIT are 72-32 in their last 104 overall.
• Over is 6-1-1 in ANA last 8 vs. Metropolitan.
• ANA are 42-17 in their last 59 home games.
• ANA are 43-19 in their last 62 overall.
• Home team is 9-2 in the last 11 meetings.
• Under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are officially in a funk. When Sidney Crosby is hurting the team more than he is helping, it is obvious that the stars simply aren’t aligning for the Eastern Conference powerhouse. Simply put Pittsburgh can’t keep the puck out of their own net. Against an Anaheim team that averages 3.22 goals per game – that’s a problem! The Penguins’ four game road trip comes to a merciful end Friday as they return home with their tales between their legs!

Pick: Anaheim Ducks -138

By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.