NHL: Penguins vs. Hurricanes Picks and Odds | March 18, 2026
Written by: Nick Zanghi
Last Update: Tue Mar 24, 2026, 6:01 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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Tonight, the top two teams in the Metro Division take the ice. The Pittsburgh Penguins will take on the Carolina Hurricanes at the Lenovo Center. These two teams last played a week ago and the Hurricanes won 5-4 in a shootout.
Pittsburgh is 34-18-15 this season and second in the Metro Division. They come into this game off a dominating 7-2 win over the Avalanche on Monday. The Pens are 4-3-3 in their last ten games and 18-9-7 on the road.
Both teams are extremely skilled. Pittsburgh ranks eighth in both goals scored and shots on goal per game. They rank seventh best in shooting percentage and have the fourth best power play as well.
Top notch defense from the Pens too. They rank in the top ten for goals allowed and shots on goal allowed per game and have the second-best penalty kill in the league. Pittsburgh plays a complete game, covering both sides on the puck.
Goalie Stuart Skinner is expected to get the start. He is 20-13-8 this season with a 2.71 GAA and a .891 save percentage. Skinner came over midseason from the Oilers in exchange for then starting goalie Tristan Jarry.
Check out the odds for this matchup and other NHL games at the best online sportsbooks.
Carolina will look to widen the gap in the divisional standings
Penguins forward Rickard Rakell takes a shot on Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen.
The Hurricanes are 42-19-6 this year and first in the Metro Division. The come into this game off a bad loss to the Blue Jackets last night. Carolina is 6-4-0 in their last ten games, 24-9-2 at home and 13-4-1 in divisional games.
They have been great this season and led the division for quite some time. The Canes rank in the top five in the league for goals scored and shots on goal per game. They have a solid power play that ranks twelfth.
Defense has always been really good and another year of the same. They rank the best in the league for shots on goal allowed and seventh in goals allowed per game. Carolina plays smart hockey and doesn't commit a lot of penalties and have they have a solid penalty kill.
In net, we're expected to see Frederik Andersen. He is 11-11-5 this year with a 3.15 GAA and a .873 save percentage. Let's check out the odds and get into the Penguins vs. Hurricanes picks.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Carolina Hurricanes Betting Odds and Game Information
Penguins vs. Hurricanes Betting Odds – March 18
| Team | Puck Line | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Penguins | +1.5 (-175) | +140 | Over 6.5 (+100) |
| Carolina Hurricanes | -1.5 (+145) | -165 | Under 6.5 (-120) |
Odds courtesy of Lucky Rebel – Get a $1,250 deposit bonus & 50 Slot Spins when you sign up
Penguins vs. Hurricanes Game Information
- Venue: Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC
- Date: Wednesday March 18, 2026
- Puck Drop: 7 p.m. EST
- TV: FDSSO, SportsNet PT
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Carolina Hurricanes Picks and Prediction
Penguins forward Anthony Mantha reacts after scoring a goal vs. the Hurricanes.
Penguins vs. Hurricanes Picks and Predictions: Pittsburgh Penguins Moneyline (+100) Get a $1,250 deposit bonus & 50 Slot Spins when you sign up with Lucky Rebel
This is going to be a tough battle, but I like the way the Penguins are playing. They're coming in with high confidence after destroying the best team in the league. I think they sneak out another big win vs. a division rival tonight.
Both teams are great in divisional play, so they'll bring the A game. Carolina is coming in on the second game of a back-to-back which makes me also lean with Pittsburgh. We could see some tired legs from a team who just got worked.
I'll take Stuart Skinner to get over his saves line. Just like past years, the Hurricanes pepper the net. I think we should definitely see plenty of that even with the Penguins defense. The line should come out around 27 to 28 saves.
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Nick Zanghi
Nick Zanghi is an avid hockey fan who loves to bet on the NHL Props. He has also found a liking for the WNBA. Born and raised on LI, NZ is a lifelong Islanders #isles fan and a new NY Liberty fan #LIGHTITUPNYL. When not watching or attending sporting events, he enjoys grilling and time with his wife and kids.
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