The Detroit Red Wings (17-11-3) and Edmonton Oilers (13-11-6) meet Thursday night. Puck drop from Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Red Wings vs. Oilers and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Red Wings lead 1-0
The Red Wings doubled up the Oilers 4-2 at Little Caesars Arena on Oct. 19 as slight underdogs (+120) while pushing against the total (6) at most shops. In that win, G John Gibson stopped 16 of 18 shots, while G Stuart Skinner allowed 3 goals on 24 shots. C Emmitt Finnie and C Dylan Larkin each scored 2 goals apiece in the victory.
The Red Wings have won 3 straight, while picking up a point in 6 in a row, going 4-0-2. The Over is 4-1 in the past 5 games for Detroit.
The Oilers suffered a 4-3 loss in overtime Tuesday as big favorites (-205) at home against the Buffalo Sabres, while going Over for the third straight game. The Oilers are 7-3-3 at home, while the Red Wings are 8-5-2 on the road.
Red Wings at Oilers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:29 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Red Wings +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Oilers -175 (bet $175 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Red Wings +1.5 (-160) | Oilers -1.5 (+135)Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)Red Wings at Oilers projected goalies
Cam Talbot (9-4-2, 3.01 GAA, .883 SV%) vs. Stuart Skinner (10-8-4, 2.91 GAA, .886 SV%, 2 SO)
Talbot is likely to go for the Red Wings, but he has struggled mightily of late. The veteran has allowed 4 or more goals in 3 of the past 4 starts, and he hasn’t won any of those outings, last tasting victory in a 4-3 OTW on Nov. 22 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He hasn’t won on the road since a 2-1 victory against the New York Rangers on Nov. 16.
Skinner allowed 4 goals on 28 shots in a 4-3 overtime loss against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday in his most recent start. He is 1-1-1 with a 2.36 GAA and .904 SV% in 3 starts in December. He allowed 3 goals on 24 shots in a 4-2 road loss in Detroit in the first meeting on Oct. 19.
Red Wings at Oilers picks and predictionsPrediction
Oilers 4, Red Wings 3
The OILERS (-175) are a heavy favorite against the Red Wings in this home meeting.
The Red Wings cannot be trusted, as Talbot has been very giving lately. Of course, Skinner has been a bit erratic, and he lost in the first meeting with the Red Wings, so there is plenty of risk here. Be careful and go lightly.
The Red Wings +1.5 (-160) aren’t priced out of line if you’d like a little bit of insurance, but you just cannot play them straight up.
Neither of these teams give us a lot of confidence to get the job done outright, and you certainly can’t trust the Oilers laying the puck line.
PASS.
OVER 6.5 (-120) is worth playing, but go with a half-unit play at best.
The Oilers have cashed high in 3 in a row, while going 6-1 in the past 7 home games, and 9-2 in the previous 11 at home.
For the Red Wings, the Over has cashed in 4 of the past 5 games, while going 8-2 in the previous 10 outings.
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