The Carolina Hurricanes (25-11-3) visit the Pittsburgh Penguins (16-12-9) in a Metropolitan Division matchup that could help solidify playoff positioning as the calendar flips to 2026. The Hurricanes, leading the division, have been one of the NHL’s top possession teams (best at 5v5 per Natural Stat Trick) but are dealing with a mounting injury list that has depleted their depth, including the season-ending loss of goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov. Pittsburgh, clinging to a wild-card spot, recently snapped an eight-game losing streak and bolstered their roster with the acquisition of Yegor Chinakhov, but goaltending inconsistencies and key absences like Evgeni Malkin could hinder their momentum. Expect a fast-paced game with Carolina’s structured play clashing against Pittsburgh’s veteran-led offense, potentially decided by special teams where the Penguins’ power play ranks tops in the Eastern Conference (29.7%).
Venue Location
PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This 18,387-seat venue has been the Penguins’ home since 2010 and is known for its energetic crowd during divisional games. Pittsburgh has a 10-6-4 home record this season, averaging 3.4 goals per game at PPG Paints Arena.
Puckdrop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and regional networks like Bally Sports South and SportsNet Pittsburgh, with streaming available on ESPN+ and NHL.tv.
Injury Report
Both teams are significantly impacted by injuries, with Carolina’s list particularly lengthy in the forward and defense groups, forcing reliance on call-ups like Jackson Blake. Pittsburgh’s absences center on key veterans, thinning their scoring depth.
Carolina Hurricanes:
Pyotr Kochetkov (G): Out for the season – Hip surgery (announced December 29; placed on LTIR, major blow to goaltending rotation after a strong start).
Jaccob Slavin (D): Week-to-week – Upper-body injury (injured December 19 vs. Florida; placed on IR December 22, expected return mid-January; key shutdown defenseman with 5 points in limited action).
Seth Jarvis (RW): Week-to-week – Lower-body injury (injured December 19 in collision; placed on IR December 20, expected return early January; leading scorer with 19 goals in 34 games).
Shayne Gostisbehere (D): Day-to-day – Groin (missed December 29 game vs. Rangers; team-leading 25 assists, status to be updated pre-game).
Charles-Alexis Legault (D): Out – Hand surgery (November 10; expected return February-March, 3-4 months timeline).
Additional notes: Noah Philp and Gavin Bayreuther are potential healthy scratches; total man-games lost: 168, straining the roster amid a back-to-back schedule.
Pittsburgh Penguins:
Evgeni Malkin (C): Out – Upper-body injury (placed on IR December 20; expected return at least December 30, but likely longer; veteran center with 20+ points).
Blake Lizotte (C): Out – Undisclosed (recently placed on IR; depth forward for penalty kill and energy).
Caleb Jones (D): Out – Lower-body injury (placed on IR December 20; expected return early January; rotational defenseman).
Filip Hallander (LW): Out – Undisclosed (on IR; minor league call-up potential when healthy).
Erik Karlsson (D): Questionable – Illness (missed practice December 29 as precautionary; left end of previous game, but expected to play; power-play quarterback).
Connor Dewar (C): Day-to-day – Undisclosed (expected return December 30; bottom-six forward).
Additional notes: Recent acquisition Yegor Chinakhov (from Columbus) is available but status uncertain for debut; scratches may include Connor Clifton and Kevin Hayes.
Carolina’s injuries could expose their blue line, while Pittsburgh’s forward absences might force Sidney Crosby to carry more load.
Player Matchups
Injuries shift the focus to depth players and stars like Crosby, with Carolina’s possession game testing Pittsburgh’s leaky defense (3.2 goals against per game).
Sebastian Aho (CAR) vs. Sidney Crosby (PIT): Top-line centers clash. Aho (multi-point game in recent OT win, strong faceoffs) drives Carolina’s attack with speed and vision; Crosby (20 goals, 39 points, recently passed Mario Lemieux for Penguins’ all-time scoring) excels on the power play and could exploit mismatches.
Andrei Svechnikov (CAR) vs. Bryan Rust (PIT): Power forwards. Svechnikov (physical edge, top-line winger) brings shot volume against Pittsburgh’s blue line; Rust (consistent scorer on Crosby’s wing) counters with quick releases.
Logan Stankoven (CAR) vs. Rickard Rakell (PIT): Wing threats. Stankoven (emerging rookie on top line) adds creativity; Rakell (veteran sniper) targets Carolina’s shorthanded defense.
Other notes: Jackson Blake (CAR, OT hero vs. Rangers) vs. Penguins’ penalty kill; defensemen: Lane Hutson (CAR, rookie assists leader) vs. Pittsburgh’s power play (top in East); goaltending: Frederik Andersen (CAR, 0-5-2 recently but confirmed starter) vs. Stuart Skinner or Arturs Silovs (PIT, inconsistent duo with .888 SV%).
Carolina’s 5v5 dominance (best in NHL) favors them if they control possession.
Recent Team Forms
Carolina is on a back-to-back but showing resilience, while Pittsburgh is building momentum after a rough stretch.
Carolina Hurricanes (7-2-1 in last 10 games): The Hurricanes edged the New York Rangers 3-2 in overtime on December 29 (did not lead in regulation; goals from Aho, Martinook, and Blake’s OT winner; power play 2-for-5). They’ve averaged 3.3 GPG while allowing 2.8, with a +5 differential. Key wins: 6-2 vs. Boston (December 23), 5-2 at Vegas. Earlier snapped an eight-game skid, but now on a three-game point streak. Road form: 4-3-1 in last eight away. Form: W (OT)-W-L-W-W (last five).
Pittsburgh Penguins (5-4-1 in last 10 games): Pittsburgh routed the Chicago Blackhawks 7-3 on December 28 (multi-goal game from Justin Brazeau). They’ve averaged 3.4 GPG but allowed 3.2, with a +2 margin. Snapped an eight-game losing streak (December 7-23) with wins in two of last three. Home strength: 5-3-2 in last 10 at PPG Paints. Form: W-L-W-L-W (last five).
Series History
Pittsburgh holds the all-time edge with a 109-124 record in regular-season meetings (wait, conflicting data; overall Penguins lead, but Carolina has won recent series). The Hurricanes swept last season’s three-game series, outscoring Pittsburgh by an average of 2.2 goals per game (including a 3-2 win on January 13, 2024). This is the first meeting of 2025-26, with three more in March. At PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh is 55-48 all-time vs. Carolina, but the Hurricanes have won 3 of the last 5 visits. Average total goals in last 10 head-to-heads: 5.8, with the under hitting in 6 of 10.
Betting Trends
Spread: Carolina is 20-19 ATS overall and 10-9 on the road; Pittsburgh is 18-19 ATS and 8-12 as home underdogs.
Total (O/U): The over has hit in 19 of Carolina’s 39 games (48.7%) and 20 of Pittsburgh’s 37 (54.1%). In last five head-to-heads, over is 2-3.
Trends: Carolina is 7-3 ATS in last 10 but 3-7 ATS on back-to-backs. Pittsburgh is 5-5 ATS in last 10 home games but 4-6 ATS when missing Malkin. Total has gone under in 7 of Carolina’s last 10 road games. Lines may adjust if Gostisbehere or Karlsson are ruled out.
Game Odds
Carolina Hurricanes – 130
Pittsburgh Penguins 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 29, 2025
