Oilers vs. Red Wings Betting Odds, Prediction, Preview: Total Has Value in Tuesday Clash

Oilers vs. Red Wings Odds

You'll hear a lot of NHL coaches talk about winning two out of every three games. Generally, teams in the National Hockey League play three times a week, so it makes sense that coaches try to keep their teams focused on the task at hand, rather than getting caught up in the big picture of an 82-game season.

Similarly, I think there's a lot you can tell about a team's form by looking at a three-game segment. For example, the Edmonton Oilers are on a ripper right now. Edmonton has won its last three contests by a combined score of 16-9, with five of those goals against coming in an overtime thriller against the Rangers.

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are playing at an absurd level (even by their standards) and have helped the Oilers to the best points percentage (.850) in the Western Conference.

On paper, Edmonton's trip to Detroit seems like a mismatch and the oddsmakers don't disagree with the Oilers currently sitting as a -175 favorite on the road, but the Red Wings have not been pushovers this season.

Thanks to the play of Tyler Bertuzzi (nine goals, six assists) and their two star rookies, Lucas Raymond (six goals, eight assists) and Moritz Seider (one goal, nine assists), the Wings look like a team that can pull off some upsets as the season goes on.

The Oilers Are Scoring at a Crazy Rate

The Oilers are playing like one of the best offensive teams we've seen in the last 20 years. Currently averaging 4.4 goals per game and being led by McDavid and Draisaitl's 45 combined points, it's almost impossible to slow this team down right now.

While McDavid and Draisaitl are the headliners, the offensive depth is what has people believing that this season could be different for the Oilers. Edmonton is getting key contributions from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (14 points), Jesse Puljujarvi (12 points) and one of their newest members, Zach Hyman (10 points).

The Oilers offense is currently making life easy on the defense and goaltending, but at some point you have to imagine this team will cool off and they'll need to win some 2-1 or 3-2 contests. Right now, Edmonton's getting solid performances from goaltenders Mikko Koskinen and Mike Smith, and the defense has been good enough, ranking 19th in expected goals against and 22nd in high-danger chances allowed. Those numbers aren't fabulous, but you don't need to be a defensive powerhouse behind this offense.

Can Detroit's Defense Stop McDavid?

At 6-5-2, the Red Wings have been a pleasant surprise this season. Nobody expects Detroit to end its five-season streak of missing the postseason, but this group has certainly opened some eyes. The Wings play a heavy, skilled game and put their bodies on the line every single night.

The Red Wings are also showing a bit of resiliency. After dropping two in a row to Montreal and Boston, the Wings responded with back-to-back victories over Buffalo and Vegas. Neither of those teams (at least right now) are juggernauts, but it's still encouraging to see this young team get results in the early going.

The Red Wings have been slightly above average offensively, scoring 2.96 goals per game (14th) and averaging 2.47 expected goals per 60 minutes (9th), but the defense has been leaky and putting a lot of pressure on goaltenders Thomas Greiss and Alex Nedeljkovic. Considering Detroit is allowing 2.7 expected goals per 60 minutes (31st), it's impressive that Greiss and Nedeljkovic are both in the black according to their Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx).

Oilers vs. Red Wings Pick

Because of its offense, Edmonton is must-watch television right now. And with Detroit struggling to suppress scoring chances, I don't think that trend will stop on Tuesday night.

Additionally, the Red Wings are playing some solid stuff offensively and will be going up against a susceptible defense as well. Don't be surprised if Detroit sticks around in this one.

Instead of overthinking this matchup, I think the Over 6 is a pretty good bet. Edmonton shouldn't have too much trouble scoring and I have faith in the Wings to get enough chances to keep the over in reach.

Pick: Over 6 (-115)