The Pittsburgh Penguins (39-30-10) visit the Detroit Red Wings (35-33-10) Saturday. Puck drop from Little Caesars Arena is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Penguins vs. Red Wings odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Time is running out on the Penguins, as they make a final push for an Eastern Conference Wild Card. Pittsburgh has 88 points, 1 point back of the Florida Panthers and New York Islanders in the chase, and all 3 teams have 3 games remaining. It is just 16-18-5 on the road this season and has dropped 3 straight away from home.
The Red Wings have won 4 wins in the past 6 games, but despite the hot streak Detroit was eliminated from the playoff hunt this past week.
Detroit won both meetings with Pittsburgh so far this season, picking up a 5-4 overtime victory as the Over (6) cashed on Dec. 28 and a 7-4 triumph as a +159 underdog with an Over (6.5) result on March 28.
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Penguins at Red Wings odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:06 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Penguins -175 (bet $175 to win $100) | Red Wings +145 (bet $100 to win $145)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Penguins -1.5 (+140) | Red Wings +1.5 (-165)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Penguins at Red Wings projected goalies
Tristan Jarry (23-12-6, 2.94 GAA, .909 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Ville Husso (26-19-7, 3.01 GAA, .899 SV%, 4 SO)
Jarry turned aside 27 of the 28 shots he faced against the Minnesota Wild Thursday, snapping a 2-game losing streak to start the month. This will be his 1st start of the season against the Red Wings as G Casey DeSmith faced Detroit in both previous contests.
Husso is confirmed for Saturday’s start. He is looking to rebound after coughing up 6 goals on 36 shots in a 7-6 shootout loss against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday. He has won just once in the past 5 starts, allowing 5 or more goals in 3 of the previous 4 outings.
Husso started in Pittsburgh on Dec. 28, conceding 4 goals on 12 shots before he was pulled.
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Penguins at Red Wings picks and predictions
Prediction
Penguins 4, Red Wings 2
Moneyline
The PENGUINS (-175) are a little on the expensive side but are worth playing in this do-or-die matchup.
Pittsburgh is risky, as it has won just once in the past 7 games on the road and is 2-7 in its last 9 against Eastern Conference foes. However, the Penguins need these 2 points if they want to make the postseason.
Puck line/Against the spread
The PENGUINS -1.5 (+140) are worth a look on the road on the puck line so go lightly. Pittsburgh may have cashed on the puck line against the Philadelphia Flyers last time it was favored but is just 7-11 in the past 18 games on the puck line when favored.
However, the thinking is that the Red Wings will fall flat after being freshly eliminated from the postseason chase.
Over/Under
UNDER 6.5 (+100) is worth playing in this matinee battle.
The Under has cashed in 4 of the past 5 games overall for the Pens and is 5-2 in their past 7 road games, according to covers.com.
The Under is 8-1 for the Wings against Metropolitan Division clubs while going 16-7 in their past 23 games against Eastern Conference foes.
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