The Pittsburgh Penguins (-200) host the Detroit Red Wings (+170) at PPG Paints Arena on Wednesday. The total is 6.5 (O: +100, U: -120)Detroit (14-11-7) is coming off a high-scoring 7-4 win over the Lightning on Wednesday, snapping a six-game losing streak.
The Red Wings committed seven penalties in the game, though they held Tampa Bay without a power play goal. Michael Rasmussen and Dylan Larkin both scored twice for the Red Wings. Ville Husso saved only 34 of 38 shots (.894%) in the win.
Pittsburgh (19-10-5) is playing the second of a back-to-back after suffering a 5-1 loss against the Islanders yesterday. Pierre-Olivier Joseph netted the lone goal for the Penguins. Tristan Jarry saved only 37 of 42 shots against (.880%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Penguins won two of the three games between the teams last season, including a 7-2 victory in their final meeting in April. Kris Letang led Pittsburgh with three points (1G 2A). Rasmussen and Jakub Vrana were on the scoresheet for Detroit. Casey DeSmith got the win, saving 23 of 25 shots (.920%).
FACING OFF
Detroit is averaging 3.03 goals per game for the season, 23rd in the NHL, and they are taking on a Penguins team that is allowing 2.94 goals a game (13th). Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has found the net 3.35 times a game on average, ninth in the league, and the Red Wings are allowing opponents to score 3.22 goals per game (18th).
Detroit averages fewer shots a game (29.1) than most teams in the league, ranking 28th, though the team’s 10.5% shooting percentage is 11th. Pittsburgh’s average of 32.4 attempts ranks 10th.
The Penguins’ 23.01% power play percentage ranks 13th in the league, while the Red Wings are 21st with a conversion rate of 19.83%. Pittsburgh has been stronger at penalty killing, boasting the league’s highest PK% at 85.19%. Detroit ranks 16th at 78.12%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 31 points this season, Larkin is the top skater for the Red Wings. He has 12 goals and 19 assists in 31 games. In the net, Husso (12-6-5) is Detroit’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.72 GAA and a .912% save percentage.
Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins in scoring with 43 points (8th in the league). He has 19 goals and 24 assists. Jarry (15-3-4) has the best goals against average for Pittsburgh at 2.67. He has a save percentage of .920%.
HOME AND AWAY
Detroit is looking to avoid a fifth successive road loss this season. Pittsburgh is 10-3-3 at PPG Paints Arena this season. Meanwhile, the Penguins are 2-5 without a day off and 0-4 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Red Wings are 1-1 with a rest advantage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Pittsburgh Penguins (-210)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our NHL hub page for all your hockey needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
