Pittsburgh Penguins vs Detroit Red Wings Prediction & Picks - NHL

USA - NHL

Pittsburgh Penguins
1/3/26 12:00
Detroit Red Wings

Prediction:

 

Penguins to win

+126
$250 offered for betting!

New customers only | Commercial content | 21+ age limit | T&Cs apply

 by Taavi Pailk in NHL Picks

The Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins complete their home-and-home set on Saturday at Little Caesars Arena.

Detroit will seek revenge on home ice, having lost Thursday’s clash against Pittsburgh 4-3 in overtime. Sidney Crosby potted a pair of early goals and led the way for the Penguins with three points. Even at 38, Crosby has remained among the NHL elite, recording 43 points (23 goals, 20 assists) in 39 games.

On Thursday, Pittsburgh recorded a point against Detroit at home for an 11th consecutive time, marking the team’s second-longest such run against any opposition.

The Penguins struggled for most of December, losing eight games on a trot at one point, but Crosby’s crew has found some form again. Ahead of Saturday’s action, Dan Muse’s men hold a 4-1-0 record across their last five outings. They can match a season-best four-game winning streak.

Detroit had a hugely successful December, losing only four games. The team tends to give up a lot of goals, but the Red Wings have opened 2026 as the Eastern Conference leaders in the NHL. Todd McLellan’s side hasn’t lost back-to-back games since a four-game losing streak in November, giving them confidence that they can bounce back from Thursday’s result.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Detroit Red Wings Form

Table

Teams Pts P W L GD
1
Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
52 42 24 18 -4
10
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
45 39 18 21 0

Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings Latest Matches

Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins Latest matches
L W L W W W
Victories

4/6 (67%)

Defeats

2/6 (33%)

Jan 1, 2026 - NHL

Detroit Red Wings
3 :  4
Pittsburgh Penguins

Dec 30, 2025 - NHL

Carolina Hurricanes
1 :  5
Pittsburgh Penguins

Dec 28, 2025 - NHL

Pittsburgh Penguins
7 :  3
Chicago Blackhawks

Dec 23, 2025 - NHL

Pittsburgh Penguins
3 :  6
Toronto Maple Leafs

Dec 21, 2025 - NHL

Montreal Canadiens
3 :  4
Pittsburgh Penguins

Dec 20, 2025 - NHL

Pittsburgh Penguins
0 :  4
Montreal Canadiens
L L L W W W
Victories

3/6 (50%)

Defeats

3/6 (50%)

Jan 1, 2026 - NHL

Detroit Red Wings
3 :  4
Pittsburgh Penguins

Dec 30, 2025 - NHL

Carolina Hurricanes
1 :  5
Pittsburgh Penguins

Dec 21, 2025 - NHL

Montreal Canadiens
3 :  4
Pittsburgh Penguins

Dec 16, 2025 - NHL

Edmonton Oilers
6 :  4
Pittsburgh Penguins

Dec 14, 2025 - NHL

Utah Mammoth
5 :  4
Pittsburgh Penguins

Dec 13, 2025 - NHL

San Jose Sharks
6 :  5
Pittsburgh Penguins
W L L L L W
Victories

2/6 (33%)

Defeats

4/6 (67%)

Dec 28, 2025 - NHL

Pittsburgh Penguins
7 :  3
Chicago Blackhawks

Dec 23, 2025 - NHL

Pittsburgh Penguins
3 :  6
Toronto Maple Leafs

Dec 20, 2025 - NHL

Pittsburgh Penguins
0 :  4
Montreal Canadiens

Dec 18, 2025 - NHL

Pittsburgh Penguins
0 :  4
Ottawa Senators

Dec 7, 2025 - NHL

Pittsburgh Penguins
2 :  3
Dallas Stars

Dec 4, 2025 - NHL

Pittsburgh Penguins
4 :  3
Tampa Bay Lightning
Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings Latest matches
W W L W W L
Victories

4/6 (67%)

Defeats

2/6 (33%)

Jan 1, 2026 - NHL

Detroit Red Wings
3 :  4
Pittsburgh Penguins

Dec 31, 2025 - NHL

Winnipeg Jets
1 :  2
Detroit Red Wings

Dec 28, 2025 - NHL

Toronto Maple Leafs
2 :  3
Detroit Red Wings

Dec 27, 2025 - NHL

Detroit Red Wings
2 :  5
Carolina Hurricanes

Dec 23, 2025 - NHL

Dallas Stars
3 :  4
Detroit Red Wings

Dec 21, 2025 - NHL

Washington Capitals
2 :  3
Detroit Red Wings
W L W W W W
Victories

5/6 (83%)

Defeats

1/6 (17%)

Dec 31, 2025 - NHL

Winnipeg Jets
1 :  2
Detroit Red Wings

Dec 28, 2025 - NHL

Toronto Maple Leafs
2 :  3
Detroit Red Wings

Dec 23, 2025 - NHL

Dallas Stars
3 :  4
Detroit Red Wings

Dec 21, 2025 - NHL

Washington Capitals
2 :  3
Detroit Red Wings

Dec 17, 2025 - NHL

Utah Mammoth
4 :  1
Detroit Red Wings

Dec 16, 2025 - NHL

New York Islanders
2 :  3
Detroit Red Wings
W L W W L L
Victories

3/6 (50%)

Defeats

3/6 (50%)

Jan 1, 2026 - NHL

Detroit Red Wings
3 :  4
Pittsburgh Penguins

Dec 27, 2025 - NHL

Detroit Red Wings
2 :  5
Carolina Hurricanes

Dec 20, 2025 - NHL

Detroit Red Wings
5 :  2
Washington Capitals

Dec 13, 2025 - NHL

Detroit Red Wings
4 :  0
Chicago Blackhawks

Dec 11, 2025 - NHL

Detroit Red Wings
1 :  4
Edmonton Oilers

Dec 10, 2025 - NHL

Detroit Red Wings
4 :  3
Calgary Flames

Pittsburgh Penguins against Detroit Red Wings : Head to Head (H2H)

Pittsburgh Penguins

75 %

Detroit Red Wings

25 %

Jan 1, 2026 - NHL

Detroit Red Wings
3 :  4
Pittsburgh Penguins

Nov 13, 2024 - NHL

Detroit Red Wings
3 :  2
Pittsburgh Penguins

Apr 11, 2024 - NHL

Detroit Red Wings
5 :  6
Pittsburgh Penguins

Mar 17, 2024 - NHL

Detroit Red Wings
3 :  6
Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins - Detroit Red Wings Key Points

  1. Pittsburgh has won four of the last six head-to-head meetings with Detroit.
  2. The Red Wings have a 14-7-1 record at home this season.
  3. The Penguins have gone 9-6-4 on the road in 2025-26.
  4. Red Wings star Patrick Kane needs eight more points to become the NHL’s all-time leading scorer among U.S.-born players.

Our Pittsburgh Penguins vs Detroit Red Wings Prediction

While the Red Wings sit atop the Eastern Conference, their success may be difficult to maintain. They are one of six teams in the East with a negative goal differential, and the New York Islanders are the only other top-12 seed without a positive goal difference. The team’s save percentage stands at a lowly .891.

Pittsburgh went on a horrible run last month but has rebounded well. With Crosby in top form, the team has scored at least three goals in five consecutive contests, winning four of the matchups. Detroit had a tough time containing Pittsburgh’s offense on Thursday, and the same might happen again in Saturday’s matinee.

Our prediction for Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Detroit Red Wings: Penguins to win.

Prediction:

 

Penguins to win

+126
$250 offered for betting!

Grab an extra $250 for your Pittsburgh Penguins vs Detroit Red Wings wager!

Bet $5, Get $250

Get ready to experience the thrill of the game with FanDuel's exciting welcome offer, available for use on the Pittsburgh Penguins vs Detroit Red Wings matchup!

A minimum bet of $5 will qualify for $250 in bonus bets if your bet wins! This offer is a golden opportunity for new users. Don't miss out on this limited-time deal to enhance your sports betting experience with some extra oomph! Jump into the action today and let FanDuel take your sports engagement to the next level!

$250 available for Pittsburgh Penguins vs Detroit Red Wings

All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Detroit Red Wings Picks