Pittsburgh Penguins at Detroit Red Wings odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Pittsburgh Penguins at Detroit Red Wings sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (29-13-5) visit the Detroit Red Wings (12-32-3) at Little Caesars Arena Friday for a 7:30 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Penguins-Red Wings odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Penguins at Red Wings: Projected starting goalies

Matt Murray vs. Jimmy Howard

Murray owns a 2.91 goals against average and .896 save percentage. The 25-year-old has posted a .915 SV% over two games this month; his last start was Jan. 10.

Howard has been plucked apart time and again over this season. The veteran netminder owns a .876 SV%. He’s logged a mere .850 figure over his last 12 games. Howard was pulled eight minutes (and three goals) into his last start, and his confidence has to be at rock-bottom. Running mate Jonathan Bernier is on the shelf until after the all-star break.


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Penguins at Red Wings: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Pittsburgh 4, Detroit 3

Moneyline (ML)

The line here has been hammered toward Pittsburgh. So much so, it has gone from budget play on the Pens to a near same for the Wings. The lean is DETROIT (+185). A number like +190 would make that profit potential vs. odds of winning too much to pass up.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Pittsburgh is playing its second game of a back-to-back. The Pens lost 4-1 at the Boston Bruins Thursday. They went into Boston with a 13-8 road mark against the puck line. With Thursday’s loss, Pittsburgh is 12-4 straight-up since Dec. 12. Over the stretch, the Pens have won half their games by multiple goals.

Pittsburgh is 11-5 as a dog on the puck line. But lay off the Penguins (-1.5, +120).

Over/Under (O/U)

The Over is 7-2 over Detroit’s last nine home games, 13-5 over the last 18 Pittsburgh-Detroit games and 4-1 over Pittsburgh’s last five tilts as a road favorite.

With the two-sided goaltending situation and C Sidney Crosby being back for the Pens, the top-side of this play is costly. But it’s the best of the three. Take the OVER 5.5 (-143).

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Pittsburgh Penguins at Detroit Red Wings odds, picks and best bets

Analyzing Saturday’s Pittsburgh Penguins at Detroit Red Wings NHL matchup, with NHL betting odds, picks and best bets

The Pittsburgh Penguins (16-9-4) and Detroit Red Wings (7-20-3) do battle Saturday evening at 7 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena in Hockeytown. We analyze the Penguins-Red Wings sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Penguins at Red Wings: Projected starting goalies

Matt Murray vs. Jimmy Howard

Murray is expected to get the start Saturday after Tristan Jarry posted a shutout Friday night, his second straight. There is a goaltender controversy in the Steel City, and Murray needs a big performance to keep Jarry from continuing to carve into his role. Murray is 9-5-4 with a 2.84 goals-against average and .897 save percentage with one shutout.

Howard has been terrible, going 2-11-1 with a 3.94 GAA and .887 save percentage, as he comes in on an 0-6-1 skid while allowing three or more goals in six of the past seven outings.


Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.


Penguins at Red Wings: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10:05 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Penguins 5, Red Wings 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Penguins (-209) are expensive, and even with Murray in there instead of the red-hot Jarry, they should have enough against the Red Wings (+170). Still, you can’t give twice as much as your return. That’s just not good business.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The PENGUINS (-1.5, +125) are an attractive play against the sieve known as Howard. In the past three wins by the Pens, they have also covered the puck line, so feel confident laying the goal and a half.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 5.5 (-150) will cost you quite a bit of juice, but you’re not going to have to worry about it. Howard has been terrible, and the Penguins will pepper him. In fact, they might be able to take care of the over themselves.

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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