It won’t be the best matchup when the Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks meet on Thursday night. Both teams are in seventh in their respective divisions, with the Penguins heading for a rebuild and the Ducks still trying to emerge from their lengthy quest to be contenders.

Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey reviews the scheduled games and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will win in head-to-head matchups.

BOTTOM LINE: The Anaheim Ducks look to break their four-game skid when they play the Pittsburgh Penguins. Anaheim has an 18-23-6 record overall and a 9-12-2 record in home games. The Ducks have gone 7-11-4 in games they have more penalties than their opponent.

Thursday’s NHL play will see the Pittsburgh Penguins (20-21-8) take the ice against the Anaheim Ducks (18-23-6), starting at 10:00 PM ET at Honda Center and broadcast on ESPN+. The Penguins are 13th (with 48 points) in the Eastern Conference and the Ducks are 13th (42 points) in the Western Conference.

The Penguins are looking to add young NHL talent, making Rangers defenseman K'Andre Miller a perfect trade fit.

When the Pittsburgh Penguins meet the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on Thursday (starting at 10:00 PM ET), Rickard Rakell and Ryan Strome will be two of the top players to watch. Buy tickets for this matchup at StubHub!

Many of the Penguins think the spark Nedeljkovic provides on and off the ice might be just what they need to make a postseason push.

The Pittsburgh Penguins and perhaps Rickard Rakell got some good news since Sunday. Rakell left the team sometime after the loss on Saturday to the Washington Capitals to return to Pittsburgh and tend to a family matter.

The in-state rivals Ducks and Sharks have gotten together on a trade of minor league players on Wednesday afternoon.

The Penguins have started their seven-game road trip off strong, winning two of three games thus far, most recently against a challenging opponent in the Kings. “I was very happy for the guys,” Kyle Dubas said in the latest edition of the GM Show.

Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Period joined Steve Kouleas and Martin Biron on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio Power Play Segment and was asked if the Pittsburgh Penguins would finally trade for the hometown boy John Gibson. NHL Rumors: How Far Would the Pittsburgh Penguins be Willing to Go?

When the Anaheim Ducks meet the Pittsburgh Penguins at Honda Center on Thursday (the puck drops at 10:00 PM ET), Ryan Strome and Rickard Rakell should be among the top players to watch. Looking for NHL tickets? Head to StubHub today and see your team live.