Red Wings vs. Hurricanes Odds
| Red Wings Odds | +176 |
| Hurricanes Odds | -215 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 -114 / -106 |
As part of a four-game NHL slate on Friday night, the Detroit Red Wings wrap up a three-game road trip with a visit to Raleigh to take on the Carolina Hurricanes.
Both squads are in postseason position and separated by just two points in the Eastern Conference standings. Additionally, both are 7-2-1 over their past 10 games.
Detroit is 2-0-0 on its current road trip, while the Hurricanes are 2-1-1 so far on a six-game homestand.
The oddsmakers have made the Hurricanes heavy favorites, but with the Red Wings riding the hot hand of Alex Lyon in net, that could spell opportunity for savvy bettors. So, let's get to our prediction for Red Wings vs. Hurricanes.
Detroit Red Wings
Remember last season, when Lyon became unstoppable as the Florida Panthers surged into a playoff spot? Well, the 31-year-old is at it again.
After missing five games in December with an upper-body injury, Lyon has started eight of the past nine for Detroit. He's 10-4-1 with a .923 save percentage and 8.3 goals saved above expected.
Lyon has been confirmed as Friday night's starter and in two career outings against the Hurricanes, he's 1-1-0 with six goals allowed.
Detroit has also been on a shooting heater. Its 5-on-5 puck possession rate has actually dropped over the past 10 games, to a league-worst 41.64%. But the Red Wings' shooting percentage over that stretch has been a lofty 12.31%, second only to the Vancouver Canucks.
Overall, Detroit is up to fourth in scoring, averaging 3.55 goals per game. Patrick Kane is on the shelf after putting up 16 points in 19 games following his return from hip resurfacing surgery, but Detroit still has six players who are up to double-digits in goals, and 11 who are over 20 points.
Detroit's penalty kill has also evolved into a strength and is perfect in 12 of the past 13 games. That's important for a team that plays in a lot of close games and has developed a knack for overcoming adversity. In fact, the Red Wings are an impressive 6-12-1 when trailing after two periods this season.
In addition to Kane, defenseman Jake Walman is doubtful for Friday's game. He has missed the past three games with illness.
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Carolina Hurricanes
Despite the 5-2 loss to the Kings on Monday, the Hurricanes remain strong on home ice with a 12-4-4 record this season.
The Canes sit third in the Metropolitan Division and have also shown strong form recently as they're 7-1-1 since the Christmas break. Their team save percentage at 5-on-5 over the past 10 games is identical to Detroit's (90.91%), but they've also been one of the best puck-possession teams over that stretch with an expected goals rate of 56.24% at 5-on-5. Carolina also has excellent special teams, although the power play has gone an uncharacteristic 0-for-8 over the past two games.
Carolina's scoring-by-committee approach also looks very similar to Detroit's, with five players over 10 goals and nine players over 20 points. And other than netminders Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov, the Hurricanes are close to healthy. Martin Necas has missed the past five games with an upper-body injury, but could be ready to return to the lineup on Friday.
After giving up four goals to Los Angeles in 45:20 of game action, Antti Raanta was replaced by rookie Yaniv Perets on Monday. That extra rest — and three days between games — should have him fresh for his start against Detroit.
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Red Wings vs. Hurricanes
Betting Pick & Prediction
Friday's game will be the second of three between the Red Wings and Hurricanes this season. On Dec. 14, Carolina won 2-1 at Little Caesars Arena.
That night, the Hurricanes put 39 pucks on Ville Husso, while Kochetkov stopped 25 shots at the other end. Both those netminders are now injured, and a Lyon vs. Raanta matchup favors the Red Wings.
Raanta has been good since his brief stint with the Chicago Wolves before Christmas, but he struggled earlier in the year, and his wobble against the Kings on Monday could be a sign of things to come. More importantly, Lyon has been dominant.
From top to bottom, the Hurricanes are a better team, but the Red Wings are right with them in the standings. Good goaltending and a little puck luck can go a long way toward picking up points in the NHL.
At +165, there's plenty of value in backing the road 'dogs in what should be another close game.
Pick: Red Wings Moneyline (+165 at BetMGM) | Play to +140
