Predators vs. Red Wings Odds
| Predators Odds | +100 |
| Red Wings Odds | -120 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 -110 / -110 |
Here's everything you need to know about the Detroit Red Wings vs. Nashville Predators on Friday, Dec. 29 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
The Red Wings are currently in bad shape. Fresh off the holiday break, they got pummeled by the Wild 6-3, and have lost six out of their last seven games. With that being said, Detroit still stands fifth in the Atlantic Division.
Nashville is in a similar situation. The Predators got smoked by the Hurricanes on Wednesday, and have lost three out of their last four. They too are fifth in their division, but they run the risk of falling in a hole like their counterparts.
Nashville Predators
There’s a lot of talent on this Predators roster, and it works together well. Filip Forsberg continues to be a star with 38 points in 35 games, while Ryan O’Reilly has proven to be a valuable addition to this team. Captain Roman Josi hasn’t lost a step one bit, producing at a high level, and Colton Sissons is on pace to shatter his career high in goals.
Nashville is about as middle-of-the-road as you’ll get. Its 5-on-5 play is fine, ranking 15th in expected goals with a 50.47 xGF% and 16th in expected goals allowed per 60 minutes with a 2.7 xGA/60.
Special teams is about the same, except for the penalty kill. They score on the power play about 20% of the time, while the penalty kill succeeds at a poor 75% rate.
I would assume we see Juuse Saros tonight like we usually do. It's the first game of a back-to-back, and Saros will most likely want to work out the kinks from Wednesday’s game. The Finnish netminder has certainly struggled this year compared to other seasons, playing to an unlikely .905 SV% and a -3.4 goals saved above expected (GSAx).
Detroit Red Wings
There is so much high-end talent in Detroit it’s not even funny. However, despite an incredible start to the season, Alex DeBrincat’s production has waned – scoring five goals in his last 17 games. Captain Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond picked up DeBrincat’s slack, but are also in major funks now. So even with the skill, there hasn’t been much else.
Detroit’s 5-on-5 execution has been terrible given the talent up front. It’s ranked 24th with a 47.83 xGF% and 19th with a 2.74 xGA/60.
The Red Wings are neither good nor great at special teams either. They score on the power play at a 22% clip, while succeeding on the penalty kill nearly 80% of the time.
Detroit’s goaltending situation is in dire straits. Ville Husso and Alex Lyon are hurt, and James Reimer seems to be the guy until further notice. He’s having a rough stretch, playing to an .851 SV% in his last five games and a -7.7 GSAx for the season.
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Predators vs. Red Wings
Betting Pick & Prediction
The more I think about this bet, the more I envision this being a higher scoring game. Two teams with lacking goaltending and who aren’t particularly great at one specific thing.
Talent does factor in as well. Even though guys like DeBrincat, Larkin and Raymond aren’t piling up goals, it doesn’t mean they can’t. There will be plenty of opportunities for them given the holes in Nashville’s defense, and they average the 13th-most penalty minutes per game. Nashville’s penalty kill is one of the worst, allowing Detroit to pounce on the vulnerable.
Given that these teams are so evenly matched, targeting the total seems viable to me. As mentioned before, Reimer has struggled mightily and the Predators have a lot of scoring options aside from their top scorers.
Expect a red-light party in the Motor City.
Pick: Over 6.5 at -110
