The 2023-24 NHL regular season is quickly coming to a close, but there are a number of big games that still must be played. One of those games will take place on Thursday night as the Detroit Red Wings visit the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Detroit comes into this game with 84 points on the year, and they are trying to find a way to sneak into the playoffs. The Red Wings have gone just 2-3 over the last five games, and they need to bounce back in a hurry.
Pittsburgh comes into this game having won four of their last five games, and they have also won four straight at home. The Penguins are now up to 84 points as well, and they are trying to surge into the postseason.
The moneyline for this game has the Penguins as the favorites at -150, and the over/under for this matchup is set at 6.5 total goals.
Red Wings Must Find Offense
The Detroit Red Wings are scoring over 3.25 goals per game this season, but you wouldn’t know it by watching them play of late. Detroit has scored just 13 total goals over the last five games, and they need to get the offense rolling again.
Getting on the power play will be a key for Detroit as they have converted 22 percent of the time this season. Dylan Larkin is having a huge season for the Red Wings as he leads the way with 31 goals.
Detroit hasn’t been a bad defensive team in 2023-24, but they are allowing 3.27 goals per game. It’s going to take a complete effort to come up with an upset win on the road.
Crosby Carrying Penguins
Just when it looked as if the Penguins were going to miss out on the postseason again, Sidney Crosby has stepped up his play for this team. Crosby leads the way with 40 goals and 46 assists, and he is trying to get his team to the postseason.
Pittsburgh has not been a great offensive team this season as they are scoring just 3.01 goals per game. That has changed over the last few weeks, while the team has continued to be solid on the defensive end.
The Penguins have a veteran team, and they are proving that they know how to win big games when it matters the most.
Penguins Protect Home Ice
Both teams are going to be playing with some desperation in this game as the losing team is likely eliminated from postseason contention. Detroit has been the much better offensive team this season, but Pittsburgh is not an easy team to crack.
The Red Wings just haven’t been playing their best brand of hockey over the last few games, and it’s going to take their best effort to come up with a win in this one. Pittsburgh has come out of nowhere to get back into playoff contention, and they are going to finish this off.
This will be a game that goes back-and-forth, but betting on the Penguins at -150 to win this game outright is going to be the best betting option to explore.
