Detroit Red Wings vs Nashville Predators Prediction: Let the Preds Offense Feast
Detroit Red Wings vs Nashville Predators Prediction: Let the Preds Offense Feast
Former Division rivals do battle in Music City tonight when the Detroit Red Wings visit the Nashville Predators. The Red Wings are in rebuilding mode led by former Captain Steve Yzerman, the team's General Manager. The Wings have been a pesky team this year, sitting in 5th place in the very competitive Atlantic division, with a 18-17-6, record good for 42 points. The Wings are 6 points out of the last wild card spot, chasing the Boston Bruins, who have 4 games in hand. Detroit is led by youngsters Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi, Lucas Raymond and Calder trophy candidate Moritz Seider. Detroit is on a back to back, coming off a 5-4 home overtime loss to the Dallas Stars last night.
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Detroit Red Wings vs Nashville Predators Prediction
The Nashville Predators are having a very good season, they are currently third in the Central Division with a record of 25-14-3, good for 53 points. The Predators are being chased by the Minnesota Wild who are only 4 points behind them but have six games in hand. The Predators need to beat teams like Detroit to stay in that top-three spot in the division. Nashville is led by a three-headed monster of center Matt Duchene, Defenseman Roman Josi, and Goaltender Juuse Saros. Duchene has had a resurgence as he leads the team with 17 goals this season. Josi is one of the best offensive defensemen in the league and leads the team with 42 points. Saros has done an outstanding job taking over the starting job from the recently retired Pekka Rinne. Saros has a 2.42 GAA and a .924 save percentage this season.
After a four-game losing streak, which included a 4-1 home loss to the Buffalo Sabres, the Preds beat the Jets 5-2 at home on Thursday night. Nashville is averaging 3.11 goals per game at home this season. In 4 home games since the Covid break, Nashville is averaging 3.6 goals per game. The Predators also have a very good home power play as their 23.4 conversion rate is 10th best in the league. In their last 10 games overall, Nashville has the league's 6th best power play, clicking at a 27.3 percent clip. Five on Five the Preds are also lighting the lamp as their 81 goals rank 12th in the NHL. I talked about how Detroit has been a pesky team this season, well the road tells a much different story. The Wings are just 5-11-3 on the road where they are averaging 3.95 goals against, which is 3rd most in the league. Detroit also has the league's fourth worst road penalty kill at 74 percent, which does not match up well with Nashville's home power play.
Five on Five the Wings are also giving up goals, their 86 goals against rank eighth-most in the league. Detroit's metrics are also not very good. Their expected goals against is 3rd worst in the NHL at 127.95 and they have given up a league-high 533 high danger scoring chances, another bad matchup against a Preds team that can push the pace. I think the Preds can get to four goals in this game tonight as they will look to build off the Winnipeg win. I also like Nashville to win the first period tonight. As mentioned, the Wings are on back to back. In seven back to back games this season Detroit has given up 29 goals, a 4.14 average and are 1-4-2 in first periods of those games. At home this season, the Predators are 10-7-3 in 1st periods where they average 1.00 goals and .42 goals against. On the road, Detroit is 3-13-3 in 1st periods where they average .42 goals for and 1.16 goals against. Starting goalie Alex Nedeljkovic got the nod last night and has not started a back to back yet this season. With backup Thomas Griess in Covid protocols, the Wings may go to recently called up Calvin Pickard who has a career 3.01 GAA with a .904 save percentage. No matter who is in goal for the Red Wings, I think the Preds will strike early and often tonight as they have to start building some wins to keep pace in the division.
Detroit Red Wings vs Nashville Predators Line Movement
Detroit Red Wings vs Nashville Predators Pick
- Nashville Predators Team Total Over 3.5 +110 (Bet $100 to win $110)
- Bonus Play - Nashville 1st Pd -.5Â +145 (Bet $100 to win $145)
Article Author
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Tone has been handicapping the four major sports for over twenty years. An NHL enthusiast, Tone’s expertise lies on the ice. He’s excelled and profited finding the right angles on NHL games, particularly with player props, game props, and game totals. A contributor to several gaming sites, you can follow him on Twitter @TonesTakes.