The Detroit Red Wings (38-32-8) take on the Pittsburgh Penguins (36-30-12) Thursday at PPG Paints Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Red Wings vs. Penguins odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Red Wings suffered a crushing defeat to the Washington Capitals at home by a 2-1 score Tuesday night. The win catapulted the Caps over the Red Wings and the Penguins for the final Wild Card spot. Detroit and Pittsburgh are tied at 84 points – 1 point behind Washington. The Wings are just 4-4-1-1 in their last 10.
Once left for dead after selling at the trade deadline, the Pens have gone on a run. They’re 6-1-2-1 in the last 10 games and are on a 5-game point streak. They fell 3-2 in overtime to the Toronto Maple Leafs Monday, which snapped a 4-game win streak. In 5 April games, C Sidney Crosby has 5 goals, 2 assists and is shooting a bonkers 62.5% with 8 shots on goal.
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Red Wings at Penguins odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:31 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Red Wings +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Penguins -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Red Wings +1.5 (-210) | Penguins -1.5 (+170)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Red Wings at Penguins projected goalies
Alex Lyon (20-18-4, 2.96 GAA, .908 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Alex Nedeljkovic (16-6-7, 2.82 GAA, .907 SV%, 1 SO)
Lyon stopped 21 of 23 in the loss to the Caps Tuesday. Lyon has allowed 9 goals in his last 4 starts with a solid .933 SV%. He has 1 start against the Pens this year, and he allowed 5 goals on 37 shots in a 6-3 loss.
Nedeljkovic has been a catalyst for Pittsburgh’s run as he has taken the starter’s net from Tristan Jarry. Nedeljokvic is 4-0-1 in April with a 2.59 GAA and .910 SV%. He was between the pipes in the 3-2 OT loss against Toronto, stopping 20 of 23. Nedeljkovic faced his former team March 17 and stopped 25 of 28 in the 6-3 win over the Wings.
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Red Wings at Penguins picks and predictions
Prediction
Penguins 5, Red Wings 3
Moneyline
These teams have met twice this year, and each team won 6-3 on their home ice. You can take the Penguins -145, but I actually prefer the puck line here.
There is a prop bet I like as well. Crosby has fewer than 4 SOG in 5 straight Games despite scoring 5 goals on 8 shots. He had 3 SOG in each Game against the Red Wings. Take SIDNEY CROSBY UNDER 3.5 SHOTS (-165).
Puck line/Against the spread
The Pens are 6-2-2 in the last 10 against Detroit, and the last 5 Pens wins have been by multiple goals. In fact, 7 of the last 10 meetings ended with multi-goal finishes.
This game could end the other’s season with a regulation loss.
The Pens are 21-13-4 at home, and I’ll take the PENGUINS -1.5 (+170).
Over/Under
This total would be 6-0-1 in the last 7 meetings. The Wings are 4-6 O/U in their last 10, and the Pens are 5-5. There is a lot of push potential here, but this is still a cashable OVER 6 (-120).
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