This NHL season has been packed with drama both on and off the ice, some of it involving Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning, who meet at Benchmark International Arena.
All in all, the Red Wings have done a good job holding things together throughout the Dylan Larkin saga. Now it is the Lightning that have to block out the noise after superstar Nikita Kucherov requested a trade, citing his intention to not re-sign at the end of the year.
Detroit and Tampa have trended in different directions lately and in an Eastern Conference that looks once again very competitive, there are two important points on offer here, even this early in the season.
Red Wings vs Lightning betting picks and predictions
Lightning -1.5 (-101)
Tampa enters this game with one win in their last four games. It is not all that bad considering two of those losses were beyond regulation and the regulation loss was to a good Colorado team.
It is far from panic time. However, this is an experienced, deep Lightning team that does not want to let things spiral. Look for a strong effort from the Lightning to break a mini slump tonight.
In addition to arguably plain being the better team in this game, the Lightning get a good bump here being at home as well. They have yet to lose at home this season, as they are 6-0-0 with a +11 goal differential at the friendly confines.
Their 24 goals scored at home come out to 4.00 goals allowed per game to just 2.17 goals allowed per game.
The Red Wings enter this game in solid form, but for all intents and purposes, if the Lightning come out with anything more than their B+ game, it will be tough for Detroit to hang.
Viktor Arvidsson over 0.5 points (-120)
The game total in this matchup is set at a higher 6.5 goals. The over has hit in three out of Detroit’s last four games, with the average game total during that span being 7.25 total goals.
They have scored at least four goals in each of those four games and play a Lightning team that has been both scoring and allowing goals at a high rate lately, as evident by their five consecutive game total overs.
While this is not a game total pick, it illustrates the pure matchup is ripe for goals.
If that is the case, Viktor Arvidsson has as good of a chance as anyone on Detroit to produce. He is on fire, tallying three goals and seven points in their last four games.
He now has 15 points in 15 games in 18:47 of ice-time per game and is on the top line with Alex DeBrincat and Emmett Finnie. Arvidsson should have plenty of opportunities to produce.
Jake Guentzel anytime goalscorer (+160)
Following the same game script, Jake Guentzel has nice odds to score for the Lightning. He is tied for the team lead in goals with eight thus far, and has 14 points in 13 games along with a +7 rating and 20:48 of ice-time per game.
Guentzel is a stalwart on Tampa’s top line with ultra top-producers Kucherov and Brayden Point. This line is leaned on heavily and they typically reward their coach for it. This sets up to be no exception.
The Lightning rank fifth in the NHL in goals scored per game and Guentzel and his line are a big reason.
The Lightning enter this game having scored 14 goals in their last three games as part of a run of 31 goals scored in their last seven games.
That is an average of 4.43 goals scored per game against some good teams, so getting +160 for one of the best scorers on one of the best scoring teams in the league to score is solid value.
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Red Wings vs Lightning odds
Detroit Red Wings | +215 |
Tampa Bay Lightning | -265 |
Puck Line | TB Lightning -1.5 |
Total | O/U 6.5 |
Red Wings vs Lightning player props
Anytime goalscorer
Brandon Hagel (TB Lightning) | +130 |
Nikita Kucherov (TB Lightning) | +130 |
Jake Guentzel (TB Lightning) | +160 |
Alex DeBrincat (DET Red Wings) | +180 |
Brayden Point (TB Lightning) | +180 |
Viktor Arvidsson (DET Red Wings) | +250 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
