Red Wings vs. Predators Odds
| Red Wings Odds | +165 |
| Predators Odds | -190 |
| Over/Under | 5.5 |
| Time | 8:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
The Detroit Red Wings head back on the road to face the Nashville Predators for the second half of a back-to-back in Saturday's NHL action. The Predators are looking for the season sweep of the Red Wings following their 5-2 win in Detroit back at the beginning of December.
Can goaltender Juuse Saros continue his dominance between the pipes or will the Red Wings even up the season series?
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings travel to Bridgestone Arena following last night's tilt against the Dallas Stars. With Nedeljkovic playing and Greiss still in COVID-19 protocols, Detroit is expected to go with long-time AHL goalie Calvin Pickard.
Pickard will probably have to be pretty dominant in the crease, as the Red Wings' offense this season has not been very good. Detroit ranks 20th in the league in 5-on-5 expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF), while their special teams rank 29th in PP percentage this season.
The Red Wings have also started pretty slow when playing in the second half of a back-to-back set. Detroit has scored in the first period in just three of its seven games on a back-to-back during the campaign..
Nashville Predators
The Predators have been one of the bigger surprises in the NHL this season, holding onto second place in the Central Division. Their success has been rooted in their stingy defense and remarkable goaltending.
Nashville ranks third in the league in 5-on-5 expected goals allowed per 60 minutes (xGA), while their special teams rank 13th in PK in the category. The Predators also got back multi-dimensional defenseman Mattias Ekholm, who along with star defensemen Roman Josi should make this team even tougher to score against.
What makes this defensive-minded team even harder to score against Saros, the All-Star goaltender and likely Vezina Trophy finalist. Boasting a 0.924 SV% this season, Saros has been a staple in net, especially at home. Saros hasn't allowed a first-period goal in 11 of his last 16 home starts.
Red Wings vs. Predators Pick
Immediately upon seeing the draw in this game, I wanted to take the Red Wings team total under. We should see a slower game from their offense against one of the league's best defensive teams with an all-star goalie in net.
Currently the Red Wings to finish with under 2.5 goals sits at -170 odds. If they're that long on Detroit to not score more than two goals, then there's a lot of value on the team to not score in the first period at -120 odds.
I think we get a Saros masterclass at home, so I'm rolling with the Red Wings first period under.
Pick: Detroit — First Period Team Total u0.5 (-120 — Play up to -125)
