In their second head-to-head matchup of the regular season, the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins meet at PPG Paints Arena in an Eastern Conference showdown. Sportsnet will broadcast the game, and the action gets going at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 13.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
Producing 7.4 units for moneyline bettors, Pittsburgh is 22-22 straight up (SU) overall in the 2017-18 season. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team managed during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 44 regular season outings, 22 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 20 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team’s 13-8 SU at home this year.
The Penguins currently have the strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as the team has converted on 26.6 percent of their extra-man opportunities this season. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 10th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.4 percent of all penalties.
The Penguins, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.2 times per game overall this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five outings. The team has had to stave off opposition power plays for just 7.9 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.
With a .903 save percentage and 24.7 saves per game, Matt Murray (17-14-1) has been the top goalkeeper for Pittsburgh this year. If the Pens, however, decide to give him the day off, the team could go with Tristan Jarry (8-7-7 record, .919 save percentage, 2.46 goals against average).
The Pens will continue to rely on offensive production out of Phil Kessel and Sidney Crosby. Kessel (47 points) has tallied 18 goals and 29 assists and has recorded two or more points in 10 different games this year. Crosby has 15 goals and 28 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 25 contests.
Detroit is 17-24 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 21 of its matches have gone under the total, while 20 have gone over and none have pushed. As the road team, the Red Wings are 7-11 SU so far.
The Red Wings have converted on 19.8 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 14th overall and it’s successfully defended 81.4 percent of all penalties.
Detroit’s players have been penalized 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 5.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jimmy Howard (.916 save percentage and 2.64 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Detroit. Howard is averaging 26.7 saves per game and owns a 14-20-6 record.
Dylan Larkin (six goals, 28 assists) has been one of the most vital facilitators on offense for the visiting Red Wings.
Detroit Red Wings at Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Detroit is 3-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Pittsburgh is 2-1 in shootouts.
Detroit has managed 27.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Pittsburgh has been attempting 32.6 shots per game over its last five home outings.
Over Pittsburgh’s last ten outings, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-4 in those games).
The Penguins this season have recorded the fifth-most hits per game (24.0), but the team’s averaged 31.6 over their past five home games.
