Expert Top Pick of the Day: Detroit Red Wings vs. Florida Panthers
Top Pick of the Day
The Red Wings and Panthers are featured on tonight’s schedule as they clash at FLA Live Arena. Detroit is third in the division standings with a 13-7-5 record and trails the first-place Boston Bruins by 12 points. They’ve been up and down so far this season and are looking for their third straight win after losing three in a row on their home ice.
Florida is fifth in the division with a 12-10-4 record and 28 points. They’re just three points behind Detroit and have a 6-2-3 record at home.
The Panthers went 2-2-1 on their recent road trip and are 4-6-2 in their last 12 games. They hope to improve on defense starting tonight, as they’ve allowed 3.35 goals per game this season.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Florida Panthers Schedule
- Date: Thursday, December 8, 2022
- Time: 07:30 PM EST
- Location: FLA Live Arena, Sunrise, FL
Wings Look To Break Home Losing Streak
Detroit has looked good in its last two games, winning by identical 4-2 scores against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Tampa Bay Lightning on the road. However, they’ve lost their last three at home, in which they scored a total of just seven goals.
Their defense could also improve, allowing 3.04 goals per game, and most of the defensive lines have struggled except for Olli Maatta and Filip Hronek, who have blocked a combined 65 shots.
Dominik Kubalik is the leading goal scorer for Detroit with ten, and Hronek leads the team in assists with 18 and is the leader in plus/minus at +13. Dylan Larkin is first on the team in overall points with 26 on nine goals and 17 helpers so far this season.
Ville Husso is the top goaltender for the Red Wings, with an 11-4-3 record and a .916 save percentage. His 2.54 GAA is tenth in the league, and he’s tied for first with three shutouts.
Panthers Need More Consistency On Defense
Florida has had no problems this season on offense, averaging 3.42 goals per game, and has scored 12 times in their last three contests. However, on defense, they’re allowing 3.35 goals per game, but have improved recently, allowing just seven goals in the previous three contests. The Panthers also have a 3-4-3 record in their last ten games.
Matthew Tkachuk leads the Panthers in overall points with 35 and is first on the team in assists with 23 on the season. Carter Verhaeghe tops all Florida skaters in goals with 15, and Josh Mahura is first in plus/minus at +15, which ties him for seventh in the league.
Spencer Knight is the leading goaltender for the Panthers with an 8-4-3 record and 2.64 goals against. His .919 save percentage is currently eighth in the league.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Florida Panthers Odds Comparison
The Red Wings are 0-6 in their last six games against the Panthers, and they are 4-1-0 in their previous five road games. The total has gone over in nine of Florida’s past 11 games, and the total has gone under in nine of their previous 13 games against Detroit.
- DraftKings has the Panthers at -200, and the total is 6.5.
- FanDuel has the Panthers at -205, and the total is 6.5.
- Caesars has the Panthers at -195, and the total is 6.5.
Godds Pick or Prediction of the Game
The Panthers look to rebound from their loss to the St. Louis Blues in their last game at home, where they’ve dropped four of the last six contests. However, the Wings have won four straight on the road, averaging 5.25 goals per game in those victories.
Godds Pick/Prediction: The Panthers win, and the total goes over.