Free NHL Pick: Anaheim Ducks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: November 16th 2009

Free NHL Pick: Anaheim Ducks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins o5.5 (-105)
Mon November 16th 2009 7:35p
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The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 at the Pond in Anaheim earlier this month, and we now look for a similarly high scoring game in the rematch in the Igloo in Pittsburgh.

The Penguins had been struggling to score goals, but they received a big boost on Saturday night when Evgeni Malkin returned to the lineup. The dividends were immediate, as Pittsburgh won a wild 6-5 overtime contest over the Boston Bruins here at home.

Sure, the Penguins still have a rather long injury list, but the return of Malkin was most key as he fortifies the line with Sidney Crosby, forcing opposing defenses to respect him and not double or even triple team the Next One. The Stanley Cup Champion Penguins are averaging only 2.90 goals per game due to their injuries, but that can be expected to rise steadily as they get their players back, so the six-goal outburst Saturday may be a precursor of things to come.

The Ducks were involved in a shootout themselves on Saturday, as they lost 7-4 to the Red Wings in Detroit. Anaheim has been surprisingly bad defensively so far, surrendering 3.33 goals per game overall, and the last thing they want to see right now is a healthy Malkin alongside Crosby. The Ducks are scoring some goals lately though, lighting the lamp at least four times in three of their last five games.

With both offenses improving steadily, we look to take advantage here as the Over in this case may be a tad undervalued.

NHL Free Pick: Ducks, Penguins Over 5.5 (-105)