In this article, we will formulate a Lightning vs Red Wings prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, January 18th at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning are 24-16-3 this year after they defeated Anaheim in a shootout by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Tampa Bay blew a 3-2 lead in the third period, but they were able to bounce back and get the win in a shootout. The Lightning were outshot by a total of 37-35, won 44.8% of the face-offs, and went 2-5 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got goals from Cirelli, Guentzel, and Point, while Vasilevskiy stopped 34 out of 37 shots in the win.
Prior to that victory, the Lightning lost to the Bruins by a score of 6-2 but did beat the Penguins by a score of 5-2 before that. Tampa Bay has won four of their last six games and they are currently third in the Atlantic standings with 51 points. Tampa Bay has scored 3.63 goals per game and they have allowed 2.81 goals against per game, while also going 26.2% on the power play and 82.3% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led Tampa Bay with 20 goals, 45 assists, and 143 shots on goal, while Brandon Hagel has added 20 goals, 29 assists, and 126 shots on goal. Andrei Vasilevskiy is 19-13-2 with a 2.38 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage this year.
Detroit Red Wings Betting Preview
The Detroit Red Wings are 21-19-4 this season after they defeated Florida by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Detroit was tied at two in the second period, but they were able to score the last three goals in the game for the win. The Red Wings were outshot by a total of 43-20, won 33.9% of the face-offs, and went 3-4 on the power play in the game. Detroit got goals from Berggren, Kane, Kasper, and Larkin (2), while Talbot stopped 41 out of 43 shots in the game.
Prior to that win, the Red Wings lost to the Sharks by a score of 6-3 but did beat the Kraken by a score of 6-2 before that. Detroit has won eight of their last nine games and they are currently second to last in the Atlantic standings with 46 points. Detroit has scored 2.91 goals per game and they have allowed 3.21 goals against per game, while also going 29.5% on the power play and 69.3% on the penalty kill this season. Lucas Raymond has led Detroit with 18 goals, 31 assists, and 93 shots on goal, while Dylan Larkin has added 20 goals, 21 assists, and 121 shots on goal. Cam Talbot is 11-9-2 with a 2.93 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage this year.
Why the Red Wings will beat the Lightning
- The Red Wings have won each of their last five games as underdogs.
- The Lightning have lost four of their last five games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Red Wings have covered the puck line in 16 of their last 18 games as underdogs.
- The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Red Wings have won the third period in each of their last five games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
Total Goals Facts
- Nine of the Red Wings’ last 10 games have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Ten of the last 12 night games between the Red Wings and Lightning at Amalie Arena have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the last three games between two teams from the Atlantic Division has gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last 11 home games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Red Wings’ last nine games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts
- Brayden Point has scored at least one goal in five of his last six appearances with the Lightning as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one point in each of the Lightning’s last 20 games as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one assist in each of the Lightning’s last seven games against the Red Wings.
Detroit Red Wings Player Prop Facts
- Dylan Larkin has recorded at least one point in each of the Red Wings’ last seven games as underdogs.
- Dylan Larkin has recorded an assist in each of the Red Wings’ last six games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Patrick Kane has scored a goal in each of the Red Wings’ last five games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Lightning vs Red Wings Prediction
Detroit comes into this matchup as one of the hottest teams in the NHL over the last few weeks, but they will be on the road here. The Red Wings are 9-8-2 on the road this year, while the Lightning are 14-6-1 at home. Tampa Bay is coming off a win against the Ducks, but they haven’t played very well over their last ten games. The Lightning have been one of the best teams in the NHL this season when looking at the metrics, but I don’t like how they are playing right now. The Red Wings are playing their best hockey of the season and I like them at plus money here.