by
- What: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Detroit Red Wings
- Date: Wednesday, October 18, 2023
- Location: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: TNT, MAX
An Eastern Conference matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings serves as the nationally televised NHL game on Wednesday night. TNT carries the contest, which sees the 2-1 Penguins travel to Detroit to face the Red Wings, who sport the same record in the early days of the 2023-24 NHL season. Here is some background on the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Detroit Red Wings game before we look at the betting odds, picks, and predictions for tonight’s matchup.
The Pittsburgh Penguins finished the 2023 NHL campaign outside the playoffs with a record of 40-31-11. The Penguins’ new general manager Kyle Dubas made a preseason blockbuster trade when he picked up reigning Norris Trophy winner defenseman Erik Karlsson. That move signaled that the team is serious about making another run to the Stanley Cup with the core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang.
The Detroit Red Wings also missed the 2023 NHL playoffs with a record of 35-37-10. Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman picked up Shayne Gostisbehere, Alex DeBrincat, and Daniel Sprong in the hopes of helping the team improve on that record.
Before we look at the betting breakdown for tonight’s NHL matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings, check out our betting picks to win the 2024 Stanley Cup and our tips for betting on the NHL.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Detroit Red Wings betting picks – October 18, 2023
| Teams |  |  |  |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | -125 | -130 | -125 |
| Detroit Red Wings | +111 | +110 | +111 |
Pittsburgh Penguins betting breakdown
Those who thought the Pittsburgh Penguins preseason blockbuster trade were going to rebuild after the team missed the playoffs last year discovered that the team was not headed in that direction when they stuck with their aging core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang, all of whom are over 36. The Pens further silenced those rumblings when the team traded for Erik Karlsson. The team also re-signed starting goaltender Tristan Jarry.
The top two lines of the Penguins will look similar to last season, but the third and fourth lines received an off-season overhaul. The team hopes the changes to the second six will help team scoring this year. Last season, the Penguins’ offense generated 262 goals for a minus two goal differential. In 2022, the Penguins were plus 43 in that stat.
Karlsson should also help the team on offense. The reigning Norris Trophy winner was the first defenseman to top 100 points in 31 years at the end of last season. He and Kris Letang, who scored 41 points in 64 games last year, will be the core of the team’s defense in 2024.
Tristan Jarry started 47 games in net last season and finished the year with a 24-13-7 record. He had a 2.90 goals against average and a .909 save percentage. Jarry signed a five-year deal worth $26.87 to stay with the team.
Detroit Red Wings betting breakdown
The Detroit Red Wings were sellers at the 2023 trade deadline, shedding Filip Hronek and Tyler Bertuzzi when they saw no way to make the NHL postseason. Over this offseason, Detroit GM Steve Yzerman added plenty of players to the roster via free agency and trades in the hopes of improving the team on offense and defense. The Red Wings have not made the playoffs since 2016 and have not been past the first round since 2013.
The Red Wings finished last year 24th in goals scored with 240. The team had a goal differential on the year of minus 39. Detroit hopes that the signings of J.T. Compher, who had 52 points for the Avalanche last year, and Alex DeBrincat, who has two 40-goal seasons to his name, will help in that department. On a positive note, Red Wings’ captain Dylan Larkin had a career-high in points and goals last year. Larkin finished the season with 79 points and 32 goals.
The team’s rising defensive star, Moritz Seider, saw his numbers drop following his Calder Trophy winning season in 2022, but the young blueliner developed his overall game, so the drop of eight points was not a negative for the 22-year-old. Look for Shayne Gostisbehere to take some pressure off Seider this year. The 30-year-old Gostisbehere has 314 points in 541 NHL games.
Goaltender Ville Husso finished last year with a 26-22-7 record. He had a goals against average of 3.11 and a save percentage of .896 in his first season as Detroit’s starting goalie.
Best bet for Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Detroit Red Wings
The Pittsburgh Penguins are the betting favorites in this matchup because they are more talented, deeper and a better team than the Detroit Red Wings. The betting pick for tonight’s game is for the Penguins to leave Detroit with the win.
Betting pick: Pittsburgh Penguins to beat Detroit Red Wings
See below a list of reliable sportsbooks and choose the best one for you.
