The Penguins host the Red Wings in an Eastern Conference clash. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here with Last Word On Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for games around the NHL. In tonight’s matchup, Pittsburgh looks to continue building momentum against a hot Detroit Red Wings squad.
NHL Predictions: Detroit Red Wings vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Head-to-Head: Red Wings 0-0 Penguins
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
How to Watch: Sportsnet+, SNE, SNP, SNW, SN-PIT, FDSNDET.
Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins host Dylan Larkin and the Detroit Red Wings in an inter-divisional clash.
Penguins Story
The Penguins come into this game off a 5-1 win against the division-leading Carolina Hurricanes. With the win, the Penguins have won two straight and are 3-5-2 in their last 10. Having won three of their last four games, the Penguins may be turning things around after a bad month of December. So far this season, they’ve either been very good, sitting near the top of the league or very bad, losing eight-straight games and tumbling down the standings. A lot of their recent turnaround can be attributed to the Penguins finally getting some depth scoring. As great as players like captain Sidney Crosby have been and consistently are, Pittsburgh is now getting a little bit more production from the rest of their lineup, which is helping get the goal support needed for their goaltenders.
Even in the absence of Evgeni Malkin, expected to be out for another couple of weeks, the second-line wingers, Justin Brazeau and Anthony Mantha, have been able to produce far beyond expectations. With a goal and an assist in the win against Carolina, Brazeau has four goals and six points in his last three games. Mantha, meanwhile, has scored in three straight. Thomas Novak has also done an incredible job at being a consistent middle-of-the-lineup player for the Penguins. He has seven goals and 20 points in 38 games. The Penguins continue to get offensive production from their blueline as well. Among a litany of players scoring, Eric Karlsson recorded two more assists in the game against Carolina.
In net, expect Stuart Skinner to get the start for Pittsburgh. Skinner finally captured his first win as a Penguin in his last game, boasting a .951 save percentage. However, this is a good time for our disclaimer to please check social media for the latest lineup news before locking in your daily fantasy roster.
Red Wings Story
Detroit comes into this game off a 2-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. With the win, Detroit is 7-3-0 in its last 10. With a record of 24-14-3, Detroit sits first in the Atlantic Division. After a slow start to the season, the Red Wings have seemingly clicked, with general manager Steve Yzerman’s long-term rebuilding plan finally paying dividends. Solid goal scoring has been a driver for the Red Wings, sitting in the top half of the league for goals scored. Their goals against, however, are in the bottom third of the league, and could be a weakness against a high-scoring Penguins squad that has 12 goals in their last two games. With a top-five power play in the league, Detroit is set up well to produce against a defensively anemic Penguins squad.
The Red Wings are led in scoring by Lucas Raymond. The former fourth-overall pick has scored 11 goals and 43 points in 39 games. Behind him, Alex DeBrincat is having another fantastic season. He has 20 goals and 40 points in 41 games. The Red Wings are a team energized by their captain, Dylan Larkin. He’s also been productive, scoring 21 goals and 37 points in 41 games. On defence, Moritz Seider has continued to prove Yzerman right in reaching up to grab him with the sixth-overall pick in 2019. Seider has scored seven goals and 31 points through 41 games.
In net, expect Cam Talbot to get the start in net, as John Gibson played last night in their game against the Jets. Talbot sports an 18-11-6 record and .889 save percentage on the year. The Red Wings will need to do a better job insulating their goaltender against a Penguins squad that can score at will when momentum’s on their side.
NHL Prediction
A tired Detroit Red Wings team, coming off a win against the Jets last night, will put up a fight against Pittsburgh. However, the Penguins seem to have recaptured some of their earlier-season momentum. With some newfound confidence and the potential debut of acquisition Yegor Chinakhov, expect Pittsburgh to come away with a victory here.
NHL Prediction: Penguins win 5-3
Prop Bet of the Night
In a clash between two high-scoring, defensively challenged teams, expect a high-scoring game. With this, a popular prop bet of goals over 7 with odds of +168 is a good bet.
Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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