Detroit Red Wings vs Tampa Bay Lightning Expert Prediction and Best Bet

The Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning face off in an ever-so-important Atlantic Division showdown at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit tonight. This will be both teams’ last game before they take a break to prepare for the 4 Nations Face Off which kicks off next week.

Both teams are in the hunt for playoff spots which makes this a great battle and even better bets. So, we’re taking a look at the odds, conducting some analysis, and coming up with the best bet for the battle of the Atlantic.

Betting Odds and Recent Form

The Red Wings are one of the hottest teams in the NHL. They’re riding another 7-game winning streak into this matchup which consisted of a Western Canada road trip where they went 4-0.

They’ve climbed to 5th in the Atlantic Division with 61 points from nearly the bottom of the division. Now, they’re just one point behind the Lightning, who hold 3rd place.

Detroit has relied on a solid mix of veteran leadership and young talent to fuel its recent success. This includes big contributions from Lucas Raymond, captain Dylan Larkin, and even some depth spots with Elmer Söderblom.

Tampa Bay can’t be overlooked as they’re also in solid form. They’ve won 3 in their last 5 games and are still considered one of the best teams in the NHL.

However, their problem is that they’ve been inconsistent on the road this season. The Lightning’s star players, including Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point, have been as reliable as ever and will look to carry the team tonight. Kucherov leads the team with a staggering 79 points and continues to be a dominant force in every zone of the ice. Whether it’s shots on goal or blocking shots between the slot, he’s everywhere.

The season series is tied up at 1 game a piece. The Lightning dominated Game 1 with a 5-1 victory in Tampa, but the Red Wings came back and responded with a 2-0 shutout in Detroit just 2 weeks ago on their previous hot streak.

Both games were somewhat low-scoring affairs which goes to show the cautious approach these teams take against one another.

Game Analysis: Defense vs. Firepower

Detroit has found its groove on defense, thanks in part to Cam Talbot’s steady presence in the net. Despite his age, Talbot has been solid all season. He’s posted a 2.58 GAA and a .908 save percentage and will be coming off of a 4-day rest if he ends up taking the net. His experience has helped stabilize the Red Wings’ back end and rookie defenders, and he’ll likely be called upon to face a heavy workload against Tampa’s high-octane offense.

On the other side of the ice, Andrei Vasilevskiy remains one of the best goaltenders in the league. He’s putting together another strong season with a 2.32 GAA and a .919 save percentage which puts him as one of the best netminders in the NHL. Vasilevskiy’s ability to make clutch saves against high-danger shots makes Tampa Bay tough to beat, even when they’re outplayed.

While Detroit has momentum, Tampa Bay boasts much more offensive depth. Kucherov and Point headline a group that can score relentlessly despite their shutout a few weeks ago. That’s because Detroit’s defense has tightened up even more so during their recent winning streak.

The Red Wings will look to control the neutral zone and limit odd-man rushes to keep Tampa’s stars in check.

Prediction and Best Bet

This game is shaping up to be another tight, low-scoring contest like the last 2. Both previous meetings this season stayed under 8.5 total goals, and with playoff implications on the line, both teams are likely to lean on their defensive systems to play it safe. While both teams are fairly disciplined when it comes to PIM, it could come down to who’s special teams can outlast the other.

We think Detroit’s recent form and home-ice advantage give them a slight edge. However, Tampa’s offensive firepower and Vasilevskiy’s goaltending simply can’t be ignored.

• HelloRookie’s Prediction: Red Wings 3, Lightning 1
• Best Bet: Total Under 8.5 Goals

The trends and stakes point to a cautious, defensively grueling matchup.

Sure, both teams are capable of grinding out games, but neither has shown a tendency to open things up in this season’s series.

We think betting the total under 8.5 is the safest play by a long shot, with strong support from recent performances and the defensive strength of both teams.

The battle of the Atlantic is going to be a good one; be sure to get your bets in for this showdown.