Game Details
The Detroit Red Wings (24-14-3) will face the Pittsburgh Penguins (17-12-9) in an Eastern Conference matchup between Atlantic and Metropolitan Division rivals. Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET.
It will be held at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the home venue for the Penguins.
Broadcast options include ESPN+ for national viewers, FDSNDET for Red Wings coverage, and SN-PIT for Penguins fans, with radio available on 97.1 The Ticket and 105.9 The X.
This marks the first regular-season meeting between the teams this year.
Recent Team Forms
The Red Wings are in excellent form, riding a four-game winning streak that includes a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs in their most recent outing.
Over their last 10 games, Detroit has gone 8-1-1, averaging 3.7 goals per game while allowing just 2.4. Their power play ranks in the top 5 league-wide at 28.4%, and they’ve been dominant in even-strength play.
The Penguins have been inconsistent, winning their last game 5-1 against the Carolina Hurricanes but posting a 3-5-2 record in their last 10.
Pittsburgh averages 3.1 goals per game but concedes 3.5, with their penalty kill struggling at 78.2%. Recent highlights include strong special teams, but defensive lapses have cost them points.
| Team | Last 5 Games | Streak | GPG (Last 10) | GA/G (Last 10) |
| Detroit Red Wings | W-W-W-W-L | W4 | 3.7 | 2.4 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | W-L-L-OTL-W | W1 | 3.1 | 3.5 |
Injury Report
The Red Wings are remarkably healthy, with no players listed on the injury report heading into the game.
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Defenseman Shai Buium was recently cleared from IR and is expected to be available.
The Penguins are dealing with several key absences. Center Evgeni Malkin is out with an upper-body injury and on IR until at least January 10.
Defenseman Harrison Brunicke is out until January 8, while Caleb Jones (lower body) and Filip Hallander (leg) are also sidelined.
Left wing Tanner Howe is out long-term with an ACL injury.
| Team | Player | Status | Injury/Details |
| Detroit Red Wings | Shai Buium | Available | Undisclosed (Cleared from IR) |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Evgeni Malkin | Out (IR) | Upper Body (Return Jan. 10) |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Harrison Brunicke | Out | Undisclosed (Return Jan. 8) |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Caleb Jones | Out (IR) | Lower Body |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Filip Hallander | Out | Leg |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Tanner Howe | Out | ACL (Long-Term) |
Key Player Matchups
With Pittsburgh missing Malkin, the game will hinge on star forwards and defensive battles.
Dylan Larkin (Red Wings) vs. Sidney Crosby (Penguins): Larkin (4 goals in recent previews, team leader) brings speed and scoring against Crosby (Penguins’ captain, elite playmaker), in a center matchup that could control the game’s pace.
Lucas Raymond (Red Wings) vs. Bryan Rust (Penguins): Raymond (3 assists recently) exploits mismatches with his vision, while Rust (playing through minor issues) provides secondary scoring for Pittsburgh.
Moritz Seider (Red Wings) vs. Erik Karlsson (Penguins): Seider (6 points recently) anchors Detroit’s blue line against Karlsson’s offensive prowess from the back end.
Detroit’s health gives them edges in depth, but Pittsburgh’s veterans could keep it competitive.
Series History
The Red Wings hold a slight all-time edge with a 76-74-16-6 record against the Penguins in 172 regular-season meetings.
At PPG Paints Arena, Detroit has been competitive on the road. Recently, the Penguins have won 9 of the last 15 encounters, including a 4-2 victory on December 31, 2024.
In playoff history, the teams are 1-1 in series, with memorable Stanley Cup Finals in 2008 and 2009.
Betting Trends
The Penguins are 8-7 ATS at home this season, while Detroit is 11-9 ATS on the road. The over has hit in 6 of the last 10 head-to-head meetings, often due to high-powered offenses, but recent Penguins home games trend under.
Game Odds
Detroit Red Wings 6.5
Pittsburgh Penguins – 130
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, December 31, 2025
