Saturday night in the NHL features the Winnipeg Jets welcoming in an Original Six opponent, the Detroit Red Wings at Canada Life Centre. Welcome to NHL Predictions here at Last Word on Hockey, where each day we preview and predict the upcoming slate of NHL games around the league! In this article, we will preview and predict the matchup between the Winnipeg Jets and Detroit Red Wings. Be sure to check out all of our NHL Predictions throughout the 2024-25 season and follow along with your favourite teams.
NHL Predictions
Winnipeg Jets vs Detroit Red Wings
Head-to-Head: Jets 1-0 Red Wings
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: SNW, FDSNDET; ESPN+
Winners of three straight, the Detroit Red Wings will faceoff with the Winnipeg Jets for the second time this season. Winnipeg, who has dropped their last two contests, won the earlier matchup with Detroit, a 6-2 triumph back on October 30th. Three first period goals was the difference in that game; Kyle Connor collect a goal and two assists, Neal Pionk scored twice and Connor Hellebuyck needed to make just 19 saves. The Jets have won their past four meetings with the Red Wings by a margin of three or more goals in each. They’ve scored at least four goals in all of those games and held the Red Wings to two or fewer in all. Detroit has won just once in Winnipeg since 2016.
Winnipeg Jets Looking To End Losing Streak
Winnipeg enters this contest looking to end their two game losing streak. Earlier in the week they dropped their game with Anaheim 4-3 in overtime; it was the second time losing to the Ducks this season. It was a tough loss for the Jets, who scored late to take the lead 3-2 but allowed Radko Gudas to answer back shortly after with his first goal of the season. Troy Terry was able to end it for Anaheim, converting an odd-man rush in the extra frame. It was a game where the Jets seemed to deserve better; they dominated the Expected Goals % (66.08%), Scoring Chances % (65.22%), and High Danger Scoring Chances % (70.59%) at 5 on 5 play. However, it was the Ducks who stuck with it and came away with a gutsy road win.
Both of the Jets past two losses have been in the balance late in the third period. They are playing well enough to win but haven’t closed it out this week. One thing they are looking for is contribution from some of their offensive forwards. Cole Perfetti is pointless in his last five games and was a minus-3 versus the Ducks. As well, Nikolaj Ehlers has no points and a minus-4 rating in their past two defeats. With the top line carrying the bulk of the offense lately, the Jets could use a goal from one of these two.
Detroit Red Wings Hoping For Surge With New Coach
Since replacing Derek Lalonde with Todd McLellan the Red Wings have won three of four games. The Wings sit four points out of a wild card spot in the crowded Eastern Conference. Expectations weren’t sky-high for this team entering this season. However, GM Steve Yzerman did admit that they are behind schedule in terms of their competitiveness for a playoff spot. Detroit is hoping that McLellan can spark their team and get the most out of a very talented roster.
Only three skaters on the Red Wing’s roster enter Saturday’s games with double-digit goal totals this season (Lucas Raymond, Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat). As a team, the Red Wings sit 25th in the NHL in Goals/Game this year. This is surprising for a roster that boasts the likes of Patrick Kane, Vladimir Tarasenko, Moritz Seider and the three players mentioned above. The Detroit front office is hoping that McLellan can unlock their offense heading into the final half of the season.
NHL Predictions – Jets vs Red Wings
This game will be a streak-ender for both teams. The Jets will snap their two game slide while the Red Wings three game win streak will come to a close. It is difficult to imagine Winnipeg dropping consecutive home games to teams well outside of the playoff picture. One of the reasons Winnipeg will take this game is the discrepancy in the special teams play. The Jets top-ranked powerplay will get to face the 31st-ranked penalty kill in the NHL. Winnipeg has scored five more powerplay goals than any other team in the league. They look for the powerplay to get back on track and be a difference-maker in this game.
Prediction: Jets win 4-2
Prop Bet of the Night
Quiet in his last two games, this is a perfect breakout opportunity for Nikolaj Ehlers. The Dane has scored in four of his last five games versus Detroit. He also has 15 points in 14 career games against the Red Wings. Gambling sites have Ehlers at +230 as any anytime goal scorer in this game. This could be a great value for a player who has been known to score against this particular opponent.
Main photo by: Tim Fuller-Imagn Images
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