Little Caesars Arena will be the site for a divisional clash as the Tampa Bay Lightning travel to Motor City to take on the Detroit Red Wings. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 7, and it will be shown live on Fox Sports Detroit.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Detroit Red Wings Odds
Tampa Bay is 29-12 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 12.8 units this year. Through 41 regular season contests, 22 of its games have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under and none have pushed. This 2017-18 Lightning team is 13-8 SU on the road.
Tampa Bay has converted on 24.8 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s good enough for fourth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 23rd out of 31 teams, and it has successfully killed off 80.1 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Bolts have been penalized 4.1 times per game this season, and 4.8 per game over its past ten outings. The team has had to kill penalties just 8.0 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Averaging 28.7 saves per game with a .935 save percentage, Andrei Vasilevskiy (26-9-2) has been the primary option in goal for Tampa Bay this year. Vasilevskiy did just play last night, however, so head coach Jon Cooper might decide to rest him and instead turn to Peter Budaj (3-4-1 record, .878 save percentage, 3.80 goals against average).
Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Lightning. Kucherov (58 points) is up to 26 goals and 32 assists, and has recorded multiple points 20 times. Stamkos has 17 goals and 33 assists to his nameand has logged at least one point in 28 games.
Over on the other bench, Detroit is 17-23 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. 21 of its games have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and none have pushed. The teams 10-12 SU at home this season.
The Red Wings have converted on just 20.5 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.4 percent of all penalties.
Detroit skaters have been whistled for penalties 3.9 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five home outings. The team has had to kill penalties just 5.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jimmy Howard (26.7 saves per game) has been the top option in goal for the Red Wings. Howard has 14 wins, 20 losses, and six OT losses and has maintained a .916 save percentage and 2.64 goals against average this season.
Dylan Larkin (six goals, 28 assists) will pace the offensive attack for the Red Wings.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Detroit Red Wings Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Red Wings, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Two of Tampa Bay’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-2 overall in shootouts this season.
- The total has gone under in four of Detroit’s last five games.
- Detroit has allowed 3.0 goals per game overall this year, but has given up only 1.5 per match up on its four-game win streak.
- Six of Tampa Bay’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-2 in those games.
