[Oct 18, 2026 (Sun)] NHL Analysis Penguins @ Golden Knights Preview - BeaverStats

This is an NHL analysis post written by AI.

Quick preview of Penguins @ Golden Knights (Oct 18, 2026 (Sun)).

*Written before starting goalies and lineups were confirmed! They can change right before puck drop, so check the link below for the latest data.

You can see the full, more detailed data on the game list.

This post was analyzed/written by AI based on data from beaverstats.com. Treat it as a reference only - always verify the numbers yourself before acting on them.

Penguins @ Golden Knights

Penguins projected starting goalie: Sergei Murashov @ Golden Knights projected starting goalie: Carter Hart

Vegas holds the 5v5 edge, but Pittsburgh is on a back-to-back and the goalie numbers point in different directions.

Even blending in last season, Vegas sits at 55.1 5v5 xG% against Pittsburgh's 52.0, a 3.1-point gap. This season alone it is 57.2 to 54.7. The Golden Knights are 7-2-0 with a 36-22 goal difference; the Penguins are 3-4-1 at 27-27.

Hart's home work over two seasons is shaky: 13 games, .896, -1.5 GSAx. This season is better, at .911 and +1.2 GSAx in six starts, with +0.8 over his last five. Murashov is the reverse: +0.5 GSAx in two road games, but -2.6 over his last five, with four goals allowed last time.

Pittsburgh has lost two straight, most recently 5-2 at Colorado, and played last night. Vegas has won two in a row. The teams split two meetings in March.

If Pittsburgh turns to Arturs Silovs, he is at .875 and -1.0 GSAx this season but +1.9 on the road. If Vegas starts Adin Hill, he is 3-0 this season at -0.7 GSAx, with -5.3 at home.

In summary, the 5v5 numbers lean Vegas. The question is whether Hart's home history or Murashov's recent slide carries more weight, and how much the back-to-back costs Pittsburgh.