Anaheim Ducks vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction and Picks - December 9, 2025
Tuesday evening Inter-Conference NHL action, and we have an Anaheim Ducks vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction ready to roll for you. Anaheim enters this game off a 7-1 home win over the Blackhawks to move to 17-11 on the season. Pittsburgh enters this game off a 3-2 shootout loss at home to Dallas to fall to 14-13 on the year. The Ducks won the first meeting this year at home by a score of 4-3. Read on to see our Ducks vs Penguins prediction.
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Ducks Crush Blackhawks At Home
Anaheim’s most recent game was a 7–1 rout of the Chicago Blackhawks on December 7, where Leo Carlsson scored twice and Beckett Sennecke added a goal and an assist in a dominant performance. The Ducks fired a staggering 53 shots, including a franchise‑record 27 in the second period, and completely overwhelmed Chicago. It was their third win in four games, pushing them to 18–10–1 and keeping them near the top of the Pacific Division standings.
Offensively, Anaheim has been one of the league’s most dangerous teams, averaging 3.6 goals per game (2nd in NHL) and ranking 3rd in shots at 31.1 per game. Carlsson has emerged as a star with 38 points in 29 games, while Mason McTavish and Cutter Gauthier provide depth scoring. The Ducks’ power play sits at 18.8%, middle of the pack, but their ability to generate volume and finish at even strength has made them lethal. Faceoffs remain a weakness (46.8%, 29th), often leaving them chasing possession, but their offensive firepower has masked that flaw.
Defensively, Anaheim allows 3.3 goals per game and ranks 22nd in goals against, with a penalty kill at just 75.3% (28th). Ville Husso has been steady in net, but the workload has been heavy given the team’s aggressive style. The Ducks’ blue line, led by Jacob Trouba and Pavel Mintyukov, has contributed offensively but still struggles to contain high‑danger chances. Against Pittsburgh, Anaheim’s challenge will be balancing their offensive push with discipline, as the Penguins own the league’s best power play.
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Penguins Fall To The Stars In Shootout
Pittsburgh’s most recent game was a 3–2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars on December 7, where Connor Dewar and Thomas Novak scored but the Penguins couldn’t hold a late lead. Miro Heiskanen tied the game for Dallas with under two minutes left, and Mikko Rantanen scored the lone shootout goal to hand Pittsburgh the defeat. The Penguins fell to 14–7–6 but remain firmly in the playoff picture, thanks to consistent play from their stars.
Offensively, Pittsburgh averages 3.2 goals per game (9th) and owns the NHL’s top power play at 34.4%, a unit driven by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Erik Karlsson. Crosby leads the team with 30 points, while Malkin has 29, and Bryan Rust continues to provide secondary scoring. Their shot volume sits at 27.2 per game, middle of the pack, but their efficiency on the man advantage has made them one of the most dangerous teams in the league. Faceoffs are solid at 50.0%, giving them a slight possession edge.
Defensively, Pittsburgh allows just 2.7 goals per game (8th) and ranks 5th in penalty kill at 84.8%, a major strength that complements their elite power play. Tristan Jarry has been sharp, winning four of his last five starts before the Dallas loss, and the Penguins’ blue line anchored by Kris Letang and Karlsson has been steady. Discipline has been strong as well, with only 208 penalty minutes (30th), minimizing opportunities for opponents. Against Anaheim, Pittsburgh’s ability to neutralize the Ducks’ high‑octane offense while capitalizing on special teams could be the deciding factor.
Anaheim Ducks vs Pittsburgh Penguins Pick
Ducks vs Penguins Moneyline Pick
- Pittsburgh -115 (5 units)
Pittsburgh looks like the sharper side heading into this matchup with Anaheim. The Penguins are coming off a 3–2 shootout loss to Dallas on December 7, where Connor Dewar and Thomas Novak scored but the team couldn’t hold a late lead. Even in defeat, Pittsburgh showed its balance, with depth players contributing and Tristan Jarry keeping them in it until overtime. For the season, the Penguins average 3.2 goals per game and own the NHL’s best power play at 34.4%, a weapon that can punish Anaheim’s penalty kill, which ranks near the bottom at 75.3%. With Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin still driving the offense and Erik Karlsson quarterbacking the man advantage, Pittsburgh has the tools to exploit Anaheim’s aggressive style.
Anaheim, meanwhile, has been explosive offensively, averaging 3.6 goals per game and ranking 2nd in the league, but their defensive issues remain glaring. The Ducks allow 3.3 goals per game and have one of the weakest penalty kills in the NHL, which is a dangerous combination against Pittsburgh’s elite special teams. Even in their 7–1 win over Chicago on December 7, the Ducks gave up 31 shots, and their tendency to trade chances could backfire against a Penguins team that thrives on efficiency. Pittsburgh’s ability to limit mistakes, paired with their top‑10 defense (2.7 goals against per game), makes them the more reliable side. In a matchup of firepower versus structure, the Penguins’ balance and special teams edge tilt the play toward Pittsburgh.
Ducks vs Penguins Over/Under Pick
- Over 6.5 (4 Units)
The Over 6.5 feels like the right angle in Ducks–Penguins because both teams bring high‑end offensive firepower and have shown they can push games past the number. Anaheim just hammered Chicago 7–1 on December 7, firing 53 shots and showcasing why they rank 2nd in the NHL at 3.6 goals per game. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, averages 3.2 goals per game and owns the league’s best power play at 34.4%, a dangerous weapon against Anaheim’s penalty kill that sits at just 75.3%. The Penguins’ most recent outing, a 3–2 shootout loss to Dallas on December 7, still highlighted their ability to generate chances late, while Anaheim’s pace and shot volume consistently create high‑event hockey. With both clubs capable of scoring in bunches and defensive lapses likely, this matchup sets up well for a game that clears 6.5 goals.
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