NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Red Wings vs. Flames
Photo by Allan Dranberg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Pictured: Moritz Seider (Red Wings)
- The Detroit Red Wings travel to Calgary to take on the Flames.
- This will be a duel featuring two elite defenses that will help out their respective goaltenders.
- So, how should we bet this NHL matchup? Tony Sartori has you covered below.
Red Wings vs. Flames Odds
| Red Wings Odds | +220 |
| Flames Odds | -275 |
| Over/Under | 6.5 (-110/-110) |
| Time | 9 p.m. ET |
| TV | SNW |
| Odds via PointsBet. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
The Pacific Division's Calgary Flames host the Atlantic Division's Detroit Red Wings on Thursday evening.
Low-scoring affairs are typically in order when these two clubs square off, with six or fewer total goals scored in each of the last five meetings.
Here's a look at the odds, as well as our betting pick and prediction for Red Wings vs. Flames.
Red Wings Shining on Defense
The Red Wings enter this contest in strong form, winning each of their last four games.
A big part of the Red Wings' success has been their strong defense and goaltending, as they're allowing an average of just two goals per game over that stretch.
This recent span of strong defensive games is not shocking given the Wings' strong blue line. Spearheaded by reigning Calder Trophy winner Moritz Seider, Detroit ranks 12th in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5-on-5.
Backing up this defense is goaltender Magnus Hellberg, who is slated to start between the pipes. Serving as a solid backup, Hellberg possesses a .901 save percentage (SV%) and 2.33 goals against average (GAA) through nine appearances in the crease this season.
However, he may not get much goal support in this contest from the Wings' offense. At 5-on-5, Detroit ranks second-to-last in the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60).
To make matters worse for this offense, winger Lucas Raymond landed on IR this week with a lower-body injury.
Flames Also Have Advantages With Defense
The Wings' lackluster offense should especially struggle against the Flames' suffocating defense, which is likely why the Flames are laying almost three dollars on the moneyline.
At 5-on-5, Calgary ranks fifth in xGA/60.
Backing up this elite defensive team is goaltender Dan Vladar, who is projected to start in the crease for the Flames. Through 20 appearances between the pipes this season, Vladar is 11-5-4 with a .903 SV% and 2.68 GAA.
Entering this game in particularly good form, he's 6-1-1 with a .910 SV% and 2.34 GAA over his last eight starts.
While Calgary also possesses an extremely deep forward group capable of scoring in bunches, Detroit's defense should be good enough to at least partly quell them.
Red Wings vs. Flames Pick
Even if Calgary lights the lamp in abundance against Hellberg, the total is set too high at 6.5. Both defenses rank in the top half of the league in xGA/60 at 5-on-5 and possess immense talent at the blue line.
Meanwhile, Detroit should struggle mightily to score considering that it ranks second-to-last in the league in xGF/60.
We are getting a high total in this game because both Vladar and Hellberg are not elite goaltenders by any means. However, the defenses in this contest should be able to help them out.
Pick: Under 6.5 (+100) | Play up to (-120) |
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