Hurricanes vs. Penguins Prediction & Picks - March 18

The Carolina Hurricanes (42-19-6), coming off a 5-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, host the Pittsburgh Penguins (34-18-15) at Lenovo Center on Wednesday, March 18 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Penguins took down the Colorado Avalanche 7-2 in their last outing.

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Ahead of this matchup, here's who we predict to secure the win in Wednesday's hockey game.

The Penguins' offense has put up 34 goals in their last 10 outings, while their defense has conceded 29 goals. They have had 41 power-play opportunities during that time, and have scored nine goals (22.0%). They are 4-3-3 over those games.

Hurricanes vs. Penguins Predictions for Wednesday

Our computer model for this encounter calls for a final tally of Hurricanes 4, Penguins 3.

• Moneyline Pick: Hurricanes (-145)
• Total Pick: Under 6.5 (computer predicts 6.2 goals on average)
• Spread Pick: Penguins (+1.5)

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Hurricanes Splits and Trends

• The Hurricanes (42-19-6 overall) have an 11-6-17 record in contests that have needed overtime.
• Carolina has 31 points (14-4-3) in the 21 games it has played that were decided by one goal.
• In the 11 games this season the Hurricanes scored only one goal, they've finished 1-10-0 (two points).
• Carolina has finished 4-3-0 in the seven games this season when it scored two goals (registering eight points).
• The Hurricanes are 37-5-6 in the 48 games when they have scored at least three goals (to record 80 points).
• In the 24 games when Carolina has capitalized on a single power-play goal, it picked up 35 points after finishing 17-6-1.
• When it has outshot opponents, Carolina is 38-12-4 (80 points).
• The Hurricanes have been outshot by opponents 11 times, and went 3-6-2 (eight points).

Penguins Splits and Trends

• The Penguins have a 34-18-15 record this season and are 5-15-20 in contests that have needed overtime.
• Pittsburgh has earned 23 points (9-7-5) in its 21 games that finished with a one-goal margin.
• This season the Penguins registered just one goal in seven games and have gone 0-4-3 (three points).
• When Pittsburgh has scored exactly two goals this season, they've earned four points (0-6-4 record).
• The Penguins have earned 76 points in their 46 games with three or more goals scored.
• Pittsburgh has scored a lone power-play goal in 24 games this season and has recorded 30 points from those matchups.
• When outshooting its opponent this season, Pittsburgh is 15-13-9 (39 points).
• The Penguins' opponents have had more shots in 25 games. The Penguins went 14-5-6 in those contests (34 points).

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Team Stats Comparison

Hurricanes vs. Penguins Game Time and TV Channel

• When: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET
• TV Channel: ESPN+
• Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
• Where: Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina

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