Red Wings vs Penguins Prediction 1/3/26 NHL Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Red Wings vs Penguins prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, January 3rd at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Detroit Red Wings Betting Preview

The Detroit Red Wings are 24-14-4 this season after they lost to Pittsburgh in overtime by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Detroit trailed 2-0 in the first period and 3-2 in the third, but they tied the game with three minutes left, before losing in overtime. The Red Wings recorded 27 shots on goal, won 47.4% of the face-offs, and went 2-8 on the power play in the game. Detroit got goals from Copp, DeBrincat, and van Riemsdyk, while Talbot stopped 27 out of 31 shots, which was an .871 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Detroit defeated the Jets by a score of 2-1 and the Maple Leafs by a score of 3-2. The Red Wings have won two of their last three games and they are currently first in the Atlantic standings with 52 points. Detroit has scored 3.05 goals per game and they have allowed 3.14 goals against per game, while also going 25.2% on the power play and 80.2% on the penalty kill this season. Lucas Raymond has led Detroit with 11 goals and 33 assists, while Alex DeBrincat has added 21 goals and 20 assists. The projected starting goalie for Detroit is John Gibson, who is 13-8-1 with a 2.97 goals against average and an .893 save percentage this season. 

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins are 18-12-9 this year after they defeated Detroit by a score of 4-3 in overtime. Pittsburgh scored late in the third to take a 3-2 lead, but they allowed Detroit to tie it with three minutes left, before winning just 58 seconds into overtime. The Penguins recorded 31 shots on goal, won 52.6% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh got goals from Crosby (2), Lizotte, and Letang, while Silovs stopped 24 out of 27 shots, which was an .889 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Pittsburgh defeated the Hurricanes by a score of 5-1 and the Blackhawks by a score of 7-3. The Penguins have won four of their last five games and they are currently fifth in the Metro standings with 45 points. Pittsburgh has scored 3.21 goals per game and they have allowed 3.10 goals against per game, while also going 30.2% on the power play and 81.2% on the penalty kill this season. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh with 23 goals and 20 assists, while Bryan Rust has added 15 goals and 20 assists. The projected starting goalie for Pittsburgh is Stuart Skinner, who is 1-3-0 with a 3.36 goals against average and an .869 save percentage for the Penguins this year. 

Why the Detroit Red Wings will win

• The home team has won each of the Red Wings’ last six games.
• The Penguins have lost each of their last six games after coming off overtime.
• The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Red Wings have covered the puck line in four of their last five games against the Penguins.
• The Penguins have lost the third period in each of their last six road games.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Penguins’ last four games following an overtime win have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the Red Wings’ last six Saturday day games have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last five games.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Red Wings’ last six home games against the Penguins.

Detroit Red Wings Player Prop Facts

• Moritz Seider has scored a goal in four of the Red Wings’ last five games as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Lucas Raymond has recorded at least one assist in each of the Red Wings’ last five games against the Penguins.

Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts

• Bryan Rust has scored a goal in each of the Penguins’ last three day games.
• Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one assist in each of the Penguins’ last eight games against the Red Wings.

Red Wings vs Penguins Prediction 

Pittsburgh comes into this matchup looking for the back to back sweep of the Red Wings, but they will be on the road here. The Penguins are 9-6-4 on the road this year, while the Red Wings are 14-7-1 at home. Detroit is one of the hotter teams in the NHL over the last few weeks and they have played much better defensively during that span. The Red Wings are currently first in the division and I expect a bounce back performance, as they have been very good after a loss. Take Detroit to win here.