The Anaheim Ducks (18-10-1), leading the Pacific Division with a balanced attack (No. 10 in goals per game at 3.28) but vulnerable on the penalty kill (78.9%, No. 25), visit the Pittsburgh Penguins (14-7-6) in a cross-conference clash at PPG Paints Arena. Pittsburgh, clinging to a wild-card spot in the Metro with elite special teams (33.3% PP, No. 1; 85.0% PK, No. 4), seeks to extend a 4-1-0 home streak against Anaheim while navigating goaltending uncertainty. The Ducks won the season’s first meeting 4-3 on Oct. 14, but Pittsburgh’s 15-8-0 mark in the last 23 head-to-heads favors the hosts. Expect a high-octane affair with power-play opportunities—Anaheim’s road resilience (5-5-0) vs. Pittsburgh’s home grit could hinge on Crosby’s magic amid injuries.
Game Details
Venue: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Puckdrop: 7:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: SN-PIT, Victory+, KCOP-13, ESPN+
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home Record | Road Record | Pacific/Metro Division Stand |
| Anaheim Ducks | 18-10-1 | 11-4-1 | 7-6-0 | 1st in Pacific |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 14-7-6 | 7-3-3 | 7-4-3 | 4th in Metropolitan |
Anaheim ranks No. 8 in shots per game (31.2) but No. 23 in save percentage (.886). Pittsburgh excels in faceoffs (52.1%, No. 6) and has a +12 goal differential, going 12-1-1 when scoring first.
Injury Report
Goaltending woes plague both teams, with Anaheim down both starters and Pittsburgh monitoring its top center—expect backups and prospects to step up.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Estimated Return |
| Anaheim Ducks | Lukas Dostal | G | Out (IR) | Upper Body | December 27 |
| Petr Mrazek | G | Out (IR) | Lower Body | December 15 | |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Evgeni Malkin | C | Day-to-Day | Upper Body | December 9 |
| Rickard Rakell | RW | Out (IR) | Hand | December 28 | |
| Caleb Jones | D | Out (IR) | Lower Body | December 20 | |
| Filip Hallander | C | Out (IR) | Leg | February 26, 2026 | |
| Justin Brazeau | RW | Out (IR) | Upper Body | TBD | |
| Noel Acciari | C | Out (IR) | Upper Body | December 9 | |
| Tanner Howe | LW | Out | ACL | TBD | |
| Jack St. Ivany | D | Out (IR) | Lower Body | December 9 |
Dostal’s absence (11-5-1, .912 SV%) forces Ville Husso into the spotlight; Mrazek’s injury leaves Anaheim thin. Malkin’s day-to-day (8G-21A-29P) is critical for Pittsburgh’s second line—without him, Crosby carries extra load. Rakell’s hand (IR since early December) depletes wing depth.
Recent Team Forms
Anaheim has surged with three wins in four, outscoring foes 18-12, while Pittsburgh’s inconsistency (3-1-1 last five) shows in shootout losses despite strong underlying metrics (No. 9 in xGF/60).
Anaheim Ducks Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 7 | vs. CHI | W 7-1 | Blowout; Carlsson 2G, 2/5 PP, 53 SOG |
| Dec. 5 | vs. WSH | W 4-3 (SO) | Sennecke G+A; McTavish SO winner, comeback from 3-1 down |
| Dec. 3 | vs. UTA | L 0-7 | Shutout disaster; 0/3 PP, Husso pulled after 4GA |
| Dec. 1 | @ STL | W 4-1 | Balanced win; 0/3 PP but strong PK (6/6) |
| Nov. 30 | @ CHI | L 3-5 | High-event loss; 0/3 PP, 26 SOG |
Form: 3-2-0 (ATS: 3-2). Ducks 6-4-0 in last 10, averaging 3.6 GPG.
Pittsburgh Penguins Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 8 | @ DAL | L 2-3 (SO) | Crosby A; Jarry 27 saves, SO loss after OT push |
| Dec. 5 | @ TBL | W 4-3 | Malkin 2G+A; 1/3 PP, comeback from 3-1 deficit |
| Dec. 2 | vs. PHI | W 5-1 | Crosby 2G; Dominant, 2/4 PP, 32 SOG |
| Nov. 30 | @ WSH | L 2-7 | Defensive meltdown; 1/2 PP, Jarry pulled |
| Nov. 29 | vs. NJD | W 4-3 (OT) | Rust GWG; 2/3 PP, high shots (38 SOG) |
Form: 3-2-0 (ATS: 3-2). Penguins 5-3-2 in last 10, with overs in 4 of 5 (avg. 6.8 goals).
Series History
Since Anaheim’s 1993 inception (as Mighty Ducks), Pittsburgh holds a commanding all-time edge in regular-season play, bolstered by home dominance. The Ducks stole the 2025 opener, but Penguins’ recent streak looms large.
All-Time Regular Season: Penguins lead 27-18-2 (59.8% win rate)
Last 10 Meetings: Penguins 6-4-0
Recent Results:
Oct. 14, 2025: Ducks 4-3 (at ANA; Zegras GWG)
Jan. 23, 2025: Penguins 5-2 (at PIT)
Oct. 31, 2024: Penguins 3-1 (at ANA)
Nov. 7, 2023: Ducks 2-1 (at PIT)
Oct. 30, 2023: Penguins 4-2 (at ANA)
Series averages 6.2 goals, with overs in 6 of last 10. Pittsburgh is 4-1-0 SU in last five home games vs. Anaheim; 8-3-0 at home since 2013.
Key Player Matchups
Special teams and star centers will clash in a potential shootout decider.
Leo Carlsson (ANA, 11G-14A-25P) vs. Sidney Crosby (PIT, 12G-18A-30P): Carlsson’s rookie finesse (team-high 25P) tests Crosby’s veteran IQ (1.15 PPG); Crosby has 7P in last five vs. ANA. Edge: Penguins—Crosby’s faceoff dominance (54.2%).
Mason McTavish (ANA, 9G-10A-19P) vs. Evgeni Malkin (PIT, Questionable; 8G-21A-29P): McTavish’s physicality (team-high 45 hits) vs. Malkin’s playmaking—if available, Malkin exploits mismatches (5P in last three vs. ANA). Edge: Toss-up; McTavish’s SO prowess.
Troy Terry (ANA, 10G-12A-22P) vs. Jake Guentzel (PIT, 13G-11A-24P): Terry’s shot (14.2% SH%) feeds rushes; Guentzel’s finishing (team-high 13G) thrives on PP. Edge: Penguins—Guentzel’s home streak (8P in last six).
Goalie Duel: Ville Husso (ANA, .891 SV%) vs. Tristan Jarry (PIT, .905 SV%): Husso steps up amid crisis (.920 in wins); Jarry’s rebound control (1.98 GAA last five) shines at home. Edge: Penguins.
Betting Trends
Puck Line: Pittsburgh 6-5 ATS as home favorites; Anaheim 7-4 ATS on road.
Total: 6.5 (O -108; U -112). Overs in 12 of Pittsburgh’s 27 games (avg. 6.5 goals); series overs 60%.
Other Trends:
Ducks: 9-2 SU when scoring 4+; Over in 6 of last 8 road.
Penguins: 4-4 SU as ML favorites; Under in 5 of last 7 home.
Game Odds
Anaheim Ducks 6.5
Pittsburgh Penguins – 122
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 8, 2025
