Pittsburgh Penguins vs Detroit Red Wings Picks and Predictions November 13th 2024

The Red Wings and Penguins are set to face off at 7:30 ET on TNT. The Penguins will host the game at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 6.5 goals, and the Penguins are -1.5 goal favorite to win at home against the Red Wings.

Detroit vs. Pittsburgh Key Information

• Teams: Red Wings at Penguins
• Where: PPG Paints Arena Pittsburgh
• Date: Wednesday, November 13th
• Betting Odds PIT -139 | DET +118 O/U 6.5

The Red Wings Can Win If…

With a 2-1 win over the Sabres, the Red Wings moved to 6-7-1 this season. Detroit, favored by -1.5 goals, didn’t cover the puck line. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the game’s 3 combined goals fell short of that mark.

After trailing 1-0 in the first period, the Red Wings responded with two goals in the second. Both of Detroit’s goals came on the power play, courtesy of Dylan Larkin.

Detroit’s offense was held scoreless until the second period, when Dylan Larkin netted his 6th and 7th goals of the season. Both of Larkin’s goals came on power plays, with the first at 12:11 in the second period and the second at 5:22.

The Red Wings fired 23 shots on goal but struggled with giveaways, tallying 15 in the game. Lucas Raymond picked up his 10th assist on Larkin’s second goal, while Patrick Kane earned his 6th assist on the first.

Cam Talbot made 31 saves with a 96.9% save percentage, helping the Red Wings secure a 2-1 win over Buffalo. Detroit’s defense also contributed with 4 takeaways and 11 hits. The only goal they allowed came at 11:39 in the first period, but they held the Sabres scoreless for the rest of the game.

• Over their last three regular season games, the Red Wings have gone 1-2 straight up. Across these games, their puck line record was just 1-2, while posting an over-under record of 0-3.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Detroit has a record of 5-5. Across these games, their puck line record was just 5-5, while posting an over-under record of 4-6.

The Penguins Can Win If…

Pittsburgh improved to 6-9-2 with a 3-1 win over the Canadiens. The Penguins covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 4 goals fell short of the 6.5 line.

Sidney Crosby scored the first two goals for the Penguins, and Blake Lizotte added an empty-netter to seal the win. The Canadiens didn’t get on the board until the 3rd period.

Sidney Crosby opened the scoring for the Penguins, netting his 4th goal of the season just 4:03 into the first period. He added a second goal, his 5th, on a power play 1:20 into the second period. Blake Lizotte sealed the game with an empty-netter, his 2nd goal of the season, with 45 seconds remaining.

The Penguins fired 24 shots on goal and recorded 14 giveaways. Lars Eller picked up his 3rd assist on Lizotte’s empty-net goal, while Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson were credited with assists on Crosby’s second goal, giving them 3 and 7 assists on the season, respectively.

Defensively, the Penguins will look to build on their last performance, where they allowed just one goal to the Canadiens. Alex Nedeljkovic made 25 saves with a 96.2% save percentage, and the defense contributed 5 takeaways and 19 hits. The only goal they allowed came at 5:32 in the 3rd period.

• The Penguins have gone 1-2 over their last three regular season games. In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 1-2 and an over-under mark of 1-2.
• The Penguins have gone 3-7 over their last ten regular season games. This includes going 5-5 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Lean

When it comes to a moneyline wager, I’m going with the Red Wings to defeat the Penguins while playing on the road. Given the current moneyline odds at +118, I’m placing a wager on the Red Wings to win outright.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Red Wings winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Red Wings straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6.5 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins Seek Rebound in Key Midweek Matchup

The Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins both enter Wednesday night’s matchup at PPG Paints Arena in search of a much-needed turnaround. Each team is coming off a string of disappointing performances, and this game presents a valuable opportunity to regain momentum. With both clubs dealing with scoring struggles and defensive lapses, the outcome will hinge on each team’s ability to make adjustments and capitalize on opportunities.

Red Wings’ Offensive Frustrations Continue

The Red Wings come into this matchup on the heels of back-to-back losses, including a 4-0 shutout defeat to the New York Rangers over the weekend. Despite a valiant 37-shot effort, Detroit failed to solve Rangers’ goaltender Jonathan Quick. Detroit’s scoring drought has become a point of concern, as even quality shots aren’t resulting in goals.

Detroit head coach Derek Lalonde emphasized the need for patience and persistence, urging his team to “trust the process” despite the frustrations. The message highlights a key theme for the Red Wings this season—staying committed to their offensive game plan even when results aren’t immediate.

New addition Patrick Kane, acquired to bolster Detroit’s offense, echoed the sentiment of persistence. Kane acknowledged the quality of chances created in recent games, while stressing the importance of finishing those opportunities. “We created a lot. … We have to find a way to get pucks by the goalie,” Kane said, underscoring the need to convert their high-quality chances into goals. With a four-game road trip looming, the Red Wings need to find their scoring touch quickly to avoid a downward spiral.

Penguins’ Defensive Struggles Undermine Veteran Performances

The Penguins are also looking to move past a difficult stretch, particularly after a humbling 7-1 loss to the Dallas Stars. Pittsburgh found itself down 6-0 within the first period—a shocking start that left little room for a comeback. Head coach Mike Sullivan attributed the loss to careless puck management, which led to several high-percentage scoring opportunities for Dallas.

Captain Sidney Crosby also highlighted the importance of resilience and pushing through challenging stretches, a mindset Pittsburgh will need to adopt against Detroit. Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have been productive for the Penguins, with Malkin leading the team in points (18) and Crosby close behind. However, individual success has yet to translate into consistent team performance, particularly on the defensive side.

For Pittsburgh, the game against Detroit is a chance to regroup, focus on puck control, and tighten their defensive play. With a 6-0 first-period deficit still fresh in their minds, the Penguins will aim for a much stronger start on home ice.

Key Players to Watch

Detroit Red Wings

• Patrick Kane: Recently acquired to add firepower to Detroit’s offense, Kane’s playmaking ability and scoring instincts will be essential as the Red Wings look to break out of their scoring slump.
• Lucas Raymond: The young forward leads the Red Wings with 13 points but has struggled to find the net himself. Raymond’s playmaking will be critical in setting up high-quality chances for his teammates.
• Dylan Larkin: As Detroit’s captain and leading goal-scorer (nine goals), Larkin’s leadership and offensive output will be central to the team’s chances of a turnaround.

Pittsburgh Penguins

• Evgeni Malkin: Leading Pittsburgh in points, Malkin’s production has been a bright spot, but he’ll need support from the rest of the lineup to convert that into wins.
• Sidney Crosby: With six goals this season, Crosby’s consistency remains crucial. His leadership and two-way play will be vital as the Penguins aim for a strong start.
• Rickard Rakell: Tied with Crosby for the team lead in goals, Rakell’s presence on the top line has added scoring depth. He’ll look to make an impact alongside Pittsburgh’s top veterans.

Game Dynamics and Strategy

• For Detroit: Scoring efficiency will be key. With numerous high-quality chances in recent games, the Red Wings need to find a way to finish around the net. Maintaining offensive pressure while staying patient will be crucial, as they face a Pittsburgh defense eager to bounce back.
• For Pittsburgh: Avoiding turnovers and controlling the puck will be a focus after a tough loss to Dallas. The Penguins must keep Detroit from generating momentum in the offensive zone and play a cleaner, more disciplined game defensively. Starting strong will be essential for a team looking to rebuild confidence on home ice.

Outlook

Both teams come into this game with plenty to prove. For Detroit, the game represents a chance to establish offensive consistency before heading out on a challenging road trip. For Pittsburgh, it’s an opportunity to shake off a disappointing loss and reset defensively.

With talented rosters and strong veteran leaders on both sides, Wednesday’s game promises an intense battle between two clubs eager to find their footing. As each team looks to avoid further setbacks, the outcome may come down to who can execute their game plan more effectively. The Red Wings will be focused on scoring efficiency, while the Penguins will look to control the puck and limit defensive lapses.