The Detroit Red Wings head to the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia to take on the Flyers in a Thursday Night Hockey showdown.
These teams are doing everything they can to remain in the playoff race and, if history repeats itself, this will be a game full of excitement.
The Detroit Red Wings are coming into tonight as slight underdogs at +120 on the moneyline. With a record of 11-13-4, it’s easy to see why they’re taking those odds. The Philadelphia Flyers are the favorites at -140, while the puck line gives Detroit +1.5 at -200. The Flyers aren’t doing much better than the Wings with their 13-12-4 record, but it’s enough to make them the favorite for the night.
Detroit is looking to build on a dramatic shootout win over Buffalo the other night, while Philadelphia hopes to shake off recent home struggles. With both of these NHL powerhouses hovering near the .500 mark on the season, this game is pivotal for momentum going forward.
The Red Wings broke a 4-game skid with their wild 6-5 shootout win over Buffalo on the road.
While the offense showed life in that game, their recent struggles in the zone have been notable. They’re averaging just 2.6 goals per game over the last 10 games and continue to struggle to find the back of the net.
However, Detroit's power play has been a welcomed strength for the young team, ranking 7th in the league (25.6%) — a weapon they’ll need to leverage against the Flyers’ 16th-ranked PK unit.
Cam Talbot is confirmed to start in goal after coming back to the team from an injury. Prior to his stint on the IR, he’s been a stabilizing presence for Detroit, with a .915 save percentage and 2.73 GAA. He gives the Red Wings a solid foundation from which to build.
Offensively, Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat have been the core contributors. These two offensive mules combined for 24 goals this season. Lucas Raymond has also emerged as one of the key playmakers for the Wings with 19 assists, giving Detroit enough firepower to threaten Philadelphia’s somewhat shaky defense.
Speaking of the Flyers…
The Flyers enter this game with a 5-3-2 record in their last 10 games This includes a 5-3 win over Columbus in their most recent game 2 nights ago. However, they’ve struggled at home. They’ve dropped their last 2 games at Wells Fargo Center despite scoring 7 goals between the 2 games.
While Travis Konecny has been a standout with 15 goals, the Flyers’ offense has been fairly inconsistent, especially on the power play, which ranks 25th in the NHL (17.4%). If they want to remain relevant, they’ll have to get that percentage a bit higher.
Samuel Ersson is expected in net and has been average at best, with a mediocre 2.85 GAA and a troubling .893 save percentage. If the Flyers falter defensively, it could open the door for Detroit to capitalize and take off with the win.
Despite their recent inconsistencies, Detroit’s strengths match up nicely against Philadelphia’s weaknesses.
We think the Red Wings power play could be the deciding factor in this matchup. With Larkin, Raymond, and DeBrincat anchoring the man advantage, Detroit has the tools and determination to take advantage of the Flyers’ middling penalty kill. To top that off, Philadelphia sits at 7th in the NHL for most penalty minutes. It goes to show that they spend some time in the box.
Additionally, Cam Talbot gives Detroit a goaltending advantage. Talbot’s .915 save percentage stands out compared to Ersson’s .893, and Detroit’s recent win in Buffalo could serve as a much-needed confidence boost for their struggling defense especially with rookie Sebastian Cossa taking the net for the first time in his NHL career.
Historically, the Red Wings have had success against Philly, winning their last 2 meetings last season, including a 3-0 shutout. That familiarity and the Flyers’ recent home struggles make this a favorable spot for Detroit.
Detroit also comes into this game with momentum on offense. They scored 6 goals in their last outing which was a much-needed boost for the team. If their top line can carry that energy into this matchup, Philadelphia’s defense — allowing an average of 3.3 goals per game over the last 10 contests — could struggle to contain guys like Larkin and DeBrincat.
BettorsInsider Best Bet: Detroit Red Wings Moneyline (+120)
The value lies with Detroit as an underdog. Their 7th best power play, strong goaltending from Talbot, and Philadelphia’s vulnerabilities on their home ice all point toward the Red Wings being the better pick heading into tonight’s game.
We’re looking for Detroit’s offense to take full advantage of special teams opportunities and ride Talbot’s steady play in between the pipes.