The Pens have been one of the most disappointing teams to start the season, not to be outdone by a Red Wings team that is vastly underachieving right now.
Defensively, the Red Wings are a mess, while their forecheck also needs to improve if they hold any hope of gaining ground in the East.
Fortunately, this is a spot where I feel good about backing Detroit given their three-day rest advantage.
The Wings haven’t taken to the ice since they were shut out by the Rangers on Sunday, making this a nice bounce-back spot against a Pittsburgh team that currently leads the league in goals allowed.
Player Pick
Dylan Larkin is one of the few names you can bet on with confidence in the Red Wings lineup.
Detroit’s center ranks Top 10 in the league in goals scored, while he’s also found the back of the net nine times across 23 career games against the Penguins.
Six of Larkin’s nine goals have come on the power play this year, which bodes well against a Pens outfit that has allowed the 11th most power play opportunities on the season.
- Tip: Dylan Larkin Anytime Goal Scorer
Not an ideal spot for the Leafs after hosting a feisty Senators side last night.
The Caps have been one of the hottest sides in the league under second-year coach Spencer Carbery, sitting towards the top of the league in goals and the bottom in goals allowed.
Joseph Woll is likely to get the start for Toronto after Anthony Stolarz stood between the pipes last night, and with Auston Matthews still missing, it goes without saying that the Leafs are on the back foot heading into this game.
Player Pick
The attention is firmly on Alex Ovechkin in the hunt for Gretzky’s all-time goal record, so you’d be forgiven for not knowing fellow teammate Connor McMichael has also scored 10 goals on the season.
The Caps’ center has only faced the Leafs twice in his career, burying one home last season in a loss at home.
- Tip: Connor McMichael Anytime Goal Scorer