Pittsburgh Penguins vs Detroit Red Wings: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 3/28/2023

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Venue: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI

Where to watch: BSDET, ATTSN-PT

DraftKings: Penguins -180, Red Wings +155

BetMGM: Penguins -180, Red Wings +155

Caesars: Penguins -180, Red Wings +155

Penguins: 36-27-10

Red Wings: 31-32-9

The All-Star break is over, the second half of the NHL season can officially begin, and we're bound for what should be a very exciting second half of the hockey season. Basketball and hockey are about to rule the roost in the sports betting world once the Super Bowl is done with, and we should all be very excited for what's to come. When the trade deadline hits and players switch teams, you know things are about to get hectic over these final 30 games or so. One way you can stay tuned with the action is following what our champion handicappers are doing in the world of the NHL. Look at ASA, Inc., reeling in a $6,750 profit off a 17-9-0 run. Al McMordie is also doing well on the ice with a 13-5-0 run and a net profit of $6,050. Scott Rickenbach has also been hanging strong with a lot of betting action, in what's been an unusual year, with a 24-18-0 run and reeling in $5,950. You know this action is going to be great now that games are back and a busy second half if on the horizon. All you need to do is head to our BEST BETS page at bigal.com to find out all of what we're trying to tell you. Make sure you're locked in at bigal.com and go to our Best Bets page to find out what our champion handicappers have to say in the world of the NHL!

Things are looking promising for the Pittsburgh Penguins to return to the playoffs this year. Not a lot of people really expected that to happen considering how stacked the Eastern Conference was going into the final couple weeks of the season. But Pittsburgh, the veteran team that it is, is looking very good heading into the postseason and we'll have a chance to essentially knock out the Detroit Red Wings from any hope of making the playoffs.

 

Pittsburgh is one of those teams that you really didn't expect to make the playoffs this year because you thought that the decline from the star players was on the horizon. But Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have continued to once again defy the laws of physics and are on the doorstep of returning to the post season. Now, of course, the second wild card would mean a first round date with the Boston Bruins which sounds like utter hell, but at least they have got into the postseason which is more than a lot of the teams that are scrounging for last second help to get in could say.

 

Of course the biggest thing hindering Pittsburgh right now would be the goaltending. Tristan jarry and Casey desmith are battling through injuries and just don't look like the capable goalies that can win a playoff series or even two. If they were to get to the point where they would face the likes of Boston in the first round, I can't imagine any scenario where the Penguins even win one game against Boston. Obviously it could happen, but I'm definitely not of the mindset to do so.

 

The Penguins are still within striking distance of the first wild card. They have two games in hand over the New York Islanders and are three points back of the inconsistent Islanders. Maybe Pittsburgh would rather play Carolina or New Jersey in the first round rather than Boston. Either way that's going to be one hell of a situation to try and overcome.

 

There was a lot of hope and optimism in Detroit at the start of the second-half of the season, so much so to where they were really threatening for a playoff spot. But with 11 points back and no real hope insight, it looks like it's going to be another season or Detroit will accept the rebuild, be happy with how it handled things and move forward with next season.

 

And with so much talent on Detroit, there is going to be an uprise in young talent in the Eastern Conference going forward with the likes of Buffalo and Ottawa also in the mix. There's plenty of time to go but right now Detroit is just trying to fight for its life and there isn't a lot to go around.

 

I just don't have any faith in Detroit to trying one of meaningful game right now. And it sucks because they are a fun young team to watch and have the capability of beating anybody, but with the Penguins trying to get back to the playoffs, this is their time to shine. Penguins 4, Red Wings 1

Penguins:

Jake Guentzel -- Sidney Crosby -- Bryan Rust

Jason Zucker -- Evgeni Malkin -- Rickard Rakell

Danton Heinen -- Ryan Poehling -- Mikael Granlund

Drew O'Connor -- Jeff Carter -- Josh Archibald

Pierre-Olivier Joseph -- Kris Letang

Brian Dumoulin -- Chad Ruhwedel

Mark Friedman -- Taylor Fedun

Tristan Jarry

Red Wings:

Joe Veleno -- Dylan Larkin -- Lucas Raymond

Dominik Kubalik -- Andrew Copp -- David Perron

Matt Luff -- Pius Suter -- Adam Erne

Jonatan Berggren -- Austin Czarnik -- Alex Chiasson

Jake Walman -- Moritz Seider

Olli Maatta -- Robert Hagg

Simon Edvinsson -- Jordan Oesterle

Alex Nedeljkovic