Detroit Red Wings vs Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Pick & Prediction for NHL on 1/1
This article was published on Jan 1, 2026. Today’s picks NHL picks

The Detroit Red Wings are set to visit the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. This NHL regular season game will take place on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Fans can catch the action on ESPN+.
The Red Wings have a record of 24-14-3 and are currently leading the Eastern Atlantic Division. The Penguins hold a 17-12-9 record and rank sixth in the Eastern Metropolitan Division. Both teams aim to improve their standings with a win in this game.
Red Wings vs Penguins Game Day Info
- Sport: NHL
- Teams: Detroit Red Wings vs Pittsburgh Penguins
- Venue: PPG Paints Arena
- Date: Thursday, January 1, 2026
- Betting Odds: Detroit Red Wings +106, Pittsburgh Penguins -126
Detroit Red Wings Team Preview
The Detroit Red Wings have shown strong performances in recent games. They secured a narrow win against the Winnipeg Jets with a 2-1 score. Dylan Larkin and Mason Appleton were key players, each scoring a goal.
In another close game, the Red Wings beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2. The team had a high number of shots on goal, totaling 36. Simon Edvinsson and Moritz Seider contributed with crucial goals.
Detroit’s top players this season include Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, and Lucas Raymond. Larkin has 21 goals and 16 assists. DeBrincat has scored 20 goals and provided 20 assists in 41 games.
Pittsburgh Penguins Team Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins have been on a winning streak. In their last game against the Carolina Hurricanes, they secured a 5-1 win. Anthony Mantha led the way with two goals, while Stuart Skinner made 27 saves.
In their matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks, the Penguins claimed a 7-3 victory. Justin Brazeau scored three goals and Bryan Rust added two more. Ryan Shea contributed with three assists in the win.
Sidney Crosby remains a key player for the Penguins this season. He has played 38 games, scoring 21 goals and 19 assists. Crosby also has 34 hits and 17 blocks, demonstrating his all-around play.
BTB Betting Pick
The Pittsburgh Penguins are favored to win against the Detroit Red Wings. The Penguins have a moneyline of -126, while the Red Wings are at +106. With Pittsburgh’s solid performance in skater stats, such as their high rank in shots on goal, they are expected to win. The projected score is Pittsburgh 4, Detroit 3.
The over/under for the game is set at 6.0. The over is priced at -120, and the under is at -103. Considering the offensive capabilities of both teams, as seen in their high goal and assist ranks, taking the over seems reasonable. The projected total score is 7, suggesting a game with more goals than the line indicates.