Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the NHL regular season match.
The Calgary Flames surprised many by winning their first four games of the season, but then fell to the Seattle Kraken (1:2 OT). Now they face the Pittsburgh Penguins, a team with an ageing roster that will once again be vying for a playoff spot.
Calgary Flames
After two high-scoring games (5:6 OT and 6:3), the players have settled down and primarily tightened up their defence. In the subsequent three matches, they allowed just one goal in regulation each time, though it's worth noting that the level of their opponents was not the highest. They managed to hold off the struggling Edmonton Oilers, as well as average teams like the Chicago Blackhawks and the Seattle Kraken. Now they host the formidable Pittsburgh Penguins, who have netted 24 goals in seven games.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins aren't getting any younger and are currently one of the oldest teams in the league, which has mixed effects. On one hand, it helps them get results against younger teams; on the other, the players find it hard to perform at peak levels throughout the year, as they gear up for a potential playoff run. The Penguins have already played seven games, winning only three. On average, they score 3.4 goals per game but concede even more (4.4).
Calgary Flames vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction
Thanks to their experience, the visitors appear to have the edge in this matchup. We believe that the seasoned forwards, including Sidney Crosby (1+5) and Evgeni Malkin (2+9), should find their chances and score a few goals.
