The Pittsburgh Penguins (17-12-9) host the Detroit Red Wings (24-14-3) at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday, Jan. 1 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+, with both teams back in action after a win. The Penguins are coming off a 5-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, while the Red Wings took down the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 in their last outing.
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As hockey action continues, get ready for the contest by checking out which team we project to capture the win in Thursday's game.
The Red Wings are 7-3-0 in the last 10 games, putting up 28 total goals (eight power-play goals on 25 power-play opportunities during that time, for a conversion rate of 32.0%). They have given up 23 goals to their opponents.
Penguins vs. Red Wings Predictions for Thursday
Our computer projections model for this matchup calls for a final result of Penguins 4, Red Wings 2.
- Moneyline Pick: Penguins (-132)
- Total Pick: No Pick - Predicted Margin Negligible
- Spread Pick: Penguins (-1.5)
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Penguins Splits and Trends
- The Penguins are 17-12-9 overall and 2-9-11 in overtime contests.
- Pittsburgh is 3-3-4 (10 points) in its 10 games decided by one goal.
- In the three games this season the Penguins scored just one goal, they've finished 0-1-2 (two points).
- Pittsburgh has scored two goals in seven games this season (0-4-3 record, three points).
- The Penguins have scored at least three goals 25 times, and are 17-4-4 in those games (to register 38 points).
- In the 14 games when Pittsburgh has recorded a lone power-play goal, it picked up 13 points after finishing 5-6-3.
- In the 18 games when it outshot its opponent, Pittsburgh is 5-8-5 (15 points).
- The Penguins' opponents have had more shots in 17 games. The Penguins went 9-4-4 in those contests (22 points).
Red Wings Splits and Trends
- The Red Wings have a 7-3-10 record in overtime games this season and a 24-14-3 overall record.
- Detroit has earned 25 points (12-2-1) in its 15 games decided by one goal.
- This season the Red Wings recorded only one goal in five games and they lost every time.
- When Detroit has scored two goals this season, they've earned nine points (4-4-1 record).
- The Red Wings have earned 42 points in their 25 games with three or more goals scored.
- Detroit has scored a single power-play goal in 18 games this season and has recorded 23 points from those matchups.
- When outshooting its opponent this season, Detroit is 11-8-3 (25 points).
- The Red Wings have been outshot by opponents 18 times this season, and earned 26 points in those games.
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Team Stats Comparison
| Penguins Rank | Penguins AVG | Red Wings AVG | Red Wings Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11th | 3.18 | Goals Scored | 3.05 | 17th |
| 18th | 3.11 | Goals Allowed | 3.12 | 19th |
| 14th | 28.3 | Shots | 29 | 10th |
| 18th | 28.3 | Shots Allowed | 27.4 | 12th |
| 2nd | 30.1% | Power Play % | 25.2% | 4th |
| 12th | 81.65% | Penalty Kill % | 80.56% | 15th |
Penguins vs. Red Wings Game Time and TV Channel
- When: Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
- Where: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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