With talented forwards like Evgeni Malkin, you wouldn't think the Penguins would struggle to score goals. (Photo credit: Bridget Samuels / Foter / CC BY)
When you think of the Pittsburgh Penguins, you probably think about goals.
The Pens have been loaded with superstar forwards over the years. Whether it was Lemieux, Jagr and Francis in the 1990s or Crosby and Malkin this decade, goal scoring was never an issue in Pittsburgh.
Many expected that would be the case again this year, especially after the Penguins acquired Phil Kessel from the Leafs to join a healthy Crosby.
Things haven’t exactly worked out that way, though. Going into Thursday’s game against the Sabres, the Penguins were averaging just 1.8 goals per game.
Instead of cashing lots of Over tickets this year for NHL bettors, the Penguins have been the best Under bet in the NHL, going under the total in all of their first 7 games.
“Maybe Kessel and the Penguins find some chemistry eventually and score a few goals, but this isn’t a very structurally-sound team anyway,” said a Sports Interaction NHL betting expert. “In a league where depth is becoming more important every day, the Penguins are extremely top heavy. If Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kessel and company aren’t clicking, they just don’t have much support.”
Another surprising Under machine has been the Blackhawks, who also went under the total in their first 7 games. Their 2.1 goals per game ranked 26th in the league going into Thursday action, and their defence was second in the NHL at 1.8 goals allowed per contest.
If that’s not enough, the best Over bet in the NHL this season has been, believe it or not, Boston. The notoriously stingy Bruins have been playing some exciting hockey, going over the total in each of their first 8 games. Boston averaged an NHL high 4.1 goals per game in its first 8, and allowed 3.8 goals per game (28th) as well.