Pittsburgh Penguins vs Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction, 12/16/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Date: Saturday, December 16, 2023

Location: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON

TV: Sportsnet

Odds/Point Spread: Penguins (+143) Maple Leafs (-175)

Scotiabank Arena is where the Toronto Maple Leafs (15-6-6) will try to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins (13-12-3) on Saturday. The odds on this game have Pittsburgh at +143 while Toronto is sitting at -175. The total has been set at 7.

The Pittsburgh Penguins had a decent effort after finishing in a 3-3 tie against the Canadiens in their previous game. Pittsburgh compiled 8 penalty minutes in this contest. In addition, they had 3 power play attempts and were able to net 2 goals. The Penguins had an average offensive output in this game. In the game, they scored on 3 out of the 30 shots they attempted.

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In relation to their scoring, the Pittsburgh Penguins have accumulated 82 goals (25th in the league) this season and have surrendered 73. For the current season, they have recorded 29 points and their points % is .518. Pittsburgh has tallied 82 power play opportunities and they have added 11 goals during those advantages, garnering them a rate of 13.41%. When playing at even strength, the Penguins have surrendered 57 goals while notching 71 on offense. Pittsburgh has attempted 929 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 8.8%. The Penguins thus far have had 879 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .917. Pittsburgh Penguins opponents have recorded 88 power play tries (20th in the league) and have a total of 16 goals in those attempts.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Tristan Jarry. Over the course of his career, Jarry has accumulated 133 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .607. He has a save percentage of .914 in his 12,915 minutes between the pipes. Jarry has had 6,577 shots taken against him and has amassed 6,011 saves. Opponents have been able to score 566 goals versus Jarry in his pro career and his goals against average per game is 2.63. He has earned an overall mark of 126-70-22 and he was named the starter in 219 games. Jarry has taken the ice for 227 games over the course of his pro hockey career.

In their last contest, Toronto faced the Blue Jackets in a matchup where the Maple Leafs took the defeat by a final of 6-5. They had 2 power play attempts in this contest and earned 1 out of those chances. The Maple Leafs had 5 goals of the 48 shots on goal they tried.

Toronto has taken 885 shots (13th in pro hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 10.73%, while allowing the opposition 871 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 79.27% on their opponents 82 power play chances, and their save percentage is 89.8%. They have a tally of 78 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 25.64%. The Maple Leafs have racked up 75 goals at even strength and 20 goals (14th in pro hockey) while having more men on the ice. They have granted a total of 89 goals to be scored by way of 72 goals at even strength and 17 goals while they were shorthanded. On the season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have earned a total of 95 goals, 36 points, as well as a points percentage of .667.

Across the rink you are likely to see Ilya Samsonov in the crease. Samsonov is sitting with a lifetime record of 84-33-18 and has been in net for 144 games. Samsonov's rate of quality starts is 49.2% and he has earned 65 quality starts in his pro career. He has tallied 3,489 saves out of the 3,854 shots tried, which gives him a save % of .905. Teams are averaging 2.72 goals per game and he has surrendered 365 goals altogether. He has been a starter 132 contests and his ice time sits at 8,042 mins.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Pittsburgh (+143)

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