The Tampa Bay Lightning (1-2-1) and Detroit Red Wings (3-1-0) square off Friday. Puck drop from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Lightning vs. Red Wings odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; tied 2-2 last season
The Lightning suffered a tough 3-2 overtime loss Tuesday to the Washington Capitals, failing to cash as a -115 home favorite as the Under (6) hit. C Brayden Point and C Jake Guentzel each found the net for Tampa Bay, but G Andrei Vasilevskiy remains winless on the season, surrendering 3 goals on 28 shots faced.
The Red Wings extended their winning streak to 3 games Wednesday night with a 4-1 victory over the Florida Panthers. Detroit cashed as a +121 home underdog and the Under (6) goals hit. C Mason Appleton led the way with 2 goals, while RW Patrick Kane and C Michael Rasmussen each added one. G Cam Talbot was sharp, stopping 20 of 21 shots in the win.
Lightning at Red Wings odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 11:42 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Lightning -160 (bet $160 to win $100) | Red Wings +135 (bet $100 to win $135)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Lightning -1.5 (+145) | Red Wings +1.5 (-175)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -118 | U: -102)Lightning at Red Wings projected goalies
Jonas Johansson (1-0-0, 3.00 GAA, .909 SV%) vs. John Gibson (0-1-0, 7.89 GAA, .615 SV%)
Johansson picked up his first win of the season Monday, leading his team past the Boston Bruins 4-3. The veteran goaltender turned aside 30 of 33 shots for a .909 SV%. Johansson last faced the Red Wings on Oct. 14, 2023, when he struggled in a 6-4 loss, allowing 5 goals on 41 shots for a .878 SV%.
Gibson’s first start of the season on Oct. 9 didn’t go as planned, as he was pulled after allowing 5 goals on 13 shots in a 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. It was a sharp contrast to his last outing against Tampa Bay on Jan. 5, when he stopped 36 of 37 shots in a 4-1 victory.
Lightning at Red Wings picks and predictionsPrediction
Red Wings 4, Lightning 3
I’m rolling with the Red Wings (+135) Friday night as they chase their fourth straight victory — and there’s a lot to like about this spot. Detroit is playing fast, confident hockey in front of its home fans and looks like a team clicking on all cylinders. Since their ugly season-opening loss to Montreal, the Red Wings have responded with 3 straight wins, including a convincing 4-1 victory over Florida.
Talbot has been stellar between the pipes, winning all 3 games during this streak. Offensively, Detroit is red-hot, ranking fifth in the NHL with 14 goals. Appleton and Rasmussen have been key contributors, combining for 3 goals and 3 assists in the win over the Panthers.
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay has stumbled out of the gate, sitting at 1-2-1 and struggling defensively. The Lightning have allowed 16 goals — fourth most in the league — and continue to lose the battle in the faceoff circle, winning just 41.3% of draws. They’re also finishing a tough road stretch, playing their third straight away from home after an overtime loss in Washington.
Detroit is the sharper, fresher, and more balanced team right now. With home ice, better goaltending, and superior momentum, I’m taking the Red Wings (+135) to extend their winning streak to 4.
PASS.
I’m not going to play with the run line when I get the Red Wings at plus odds on the moneyline.
OVER 6 (-118).
The last 2 meetings between these teams have gone Over, and both offenses look sharp early this season. Tampa Bay has hit the Over in 3 of 4 games and ranks fifth on the power play (30%), while Detroit sits right behind them at sixth (26.7%). I’m expecting plenty of action and scoring chances here.
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