Detroit Red Wings vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction 1/1/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Red Wings vs Penguins Prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, January 1st. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Pittsburgh Penguins Preview

The Penguins have 43 points this season with a 17-12-9 record, and are 23-15 ATS and 19-14 in over/under. They have a 8-6-5 home record and a 9-6-4 road record and are sitting 5th in the Metropolitan Division. They are coming off a 5-1 home win over the Hurricanes, and their previous three games were a 7-3 road win over the Blackhawks, a 6-3 road loss to the Maple Leafs, and a 4-3 home shootout win over the Canadiens.

Offensively, the Penguins are averaging 3.18 goals per game and are scoring 30.1% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 3.11 goals per game and are killing 81.7% of their opponent’s power plays.

Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins with 40 points, also leading the team in goals with 21, while Erik Karlsson leads the team in assists with 25. Stuart Skinner is the starting goalie for the Penguins, and he has a 12-11-4 record, with 2.91 GAA and .888 SV%. Arturs Silovs is the backup goalie and he has a 6-5-6 record, with 3.21 GAA and .888 SV%.

Detroit Red Wings Preview

The Red Wings have 51 points this season with a 24-14-3 record, and are 19-21 ATS and 20-15 in over/under. They have a 14-7-1 home record and a 10-7-2 road record and are sitting 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They are coming off a 2-1 home win over the Jets, and their previous three games were a 3-2 home overtime win over the Maple Leafs, a 5-2 road loss to the Hurricanes, and a 4-3 home overtime win over the Stars.

Offensively, the Red Wings are averaging 3.08 goals per game and are scoring 25.0% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 3.18 goals per game and are killing 80.0% of their opponent’s power plays.

Lucas Raymond leads the Red Wings with 43 points, also leading the team in assists with 32, while Dylan Larkin leads the team in goals with 21. John Gibson is the starting goalie for the Red Wings, and he has a 13-8-1 record, with 3.07 GAA and .893 SV%. Cam Talbot is the backup goalie and he has a 11-6-2 record, with 2.94 GAA and .889 SV%.

Detroit Red Wings @ Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Trends: January 1, 2026

Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win

• The home team has won each of the Red Wings’ last five games.
• The Red Wings have lost each of their last six games as road underdogs following a win.
• The Red Wings have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The Penguins have covered the puck line in five of their last six games against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Red Wings have lost the second period in seven of their last eight games at PPG Paints Arena when trailing after the first period.

Why the Detroit Red Wings will win

• The Red Wings have won each of their last eight night games against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Penguins have lost seven of their last eight games as favorites following a win.
• The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in 10 of their last 11 games as home favorites following a win.
• The underdogs have covered the puck line in 14 of the Penguins’ last 16 games at PPG Paints Arena.
• The Penguins have lost the second period in each of their last six home games when trailing after the first period.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Red Wings’ last six games on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Nine of the Penguins’ last 10 night games against the Red Wings following a win have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last 11 games as favorites against the Red Wings.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Red Wings’ last eight games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.

Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts

• Rickard Rakell has scored at least one goal in each of his last four appearances with the Penguins as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one assist in each of the Penguins’ last seven games against the Red Wings.
• Justin Brazeau ranks 1st amongst qualified players for shooting percentage (28.6%) this season.

Detroit Red Wings Player Prop Facts

• Alex DeBrincat has recorded at least one assist in each of the Red Wings’ last four games against the Penguins.
• Dylan Larkin has scored a goal in four of the Red Wings’ last five games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Dylan Larkin ranks T2nd in the league for Game Winning Goals (5) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 2nd in the league in power play percentage this season (30.10%).
• The Pittsburgh Penguins have recorded the equal-longest losing streak (8 games) in the NHL this season.
• The Detroit Red Wings rank 4th in the league in power play percentage this season (25.20%).
• The Detroit Red Wings rank 32nd in the league in short handed goals this season (0).

Red Wings vs Penguins Prediction

Both teams are tied 5-5 in their last 10 meetings and the over is 8-2 in their last 10 meetings.

In this Red Wings vs Penguins Prediction, the Penguins are coming as -130 home favorites. The Red Wings have been the better team this season as they have more points and wins than the Penguins but they are in a brutal scheduling spot, as they are playing their second leg of a back-to-back in New Year’s Eve and New Years Day. The Penguins are coming off a huge 5-1 win against the Hurricanes and have been better both offensively and defensively this season, so I expect them to get the job done at home today. Take the Penguins on the moneyline in this one.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins ML