The Detroit Red Wings are fresh off of a two-game win streak. They are looking to keep things alive and make it three in a row in their next contest. Detroit is playing host to Columbus as the Blue Jackets come to town, looking to snap a losing streak of their own.
While Detroit snapped their recent skid, the Red Wings are looking to keep improving areas of their play to get things back on track. With the All-Star break quickly approaching, it would be great for the Detroit Red Wings to finish on a high note.
The Red Wings currently sit at 18-15-7 and are fourth in the Atlantic Division. They are clinging to life after their last two wins helped them remain on the cusp of a Wildcard spot. If the season ended today, they would not make it, but a strong push as the team gets things back in order might put them in a position to make a postseason appearance.
That’s a lot of talk for down the line. Let’s talk about tonight’s game first and foremost. The Blue Jackets have been riddled with injuries. Elvis Merzlikins has not been the goaltender he was when he broke onto the scene, and the Red Wings have to be excited about that.
He’ll be good to go for the contest and between the pipes to face the Red Wings, who are looking to keep the offense coming. They will have to stop the likes of Johnny Gaudreau, Jack Roslovic, and Patrik Laine in the defensive zone.
They’re going to try and get that top group moving quickly with Kent Johnson and old friend Gustav Nyquist in the mix; the Red Wings will need to force them to the outside and avoid players sneaking into the slot.
The Red Wings fell victim to that against Winnipeg when they let a couple of goals get scored due to Jets players sneaking into the slot and getting open. Limiting scoring chances from in tight’s something Detroit needs to improve on; if they do this against Columbus, they should have a favorable result at the end of 60 minutes.
Detroit Red Wings game information and prediction vs. Blue Jackets
Game: Detroit Red Wings (18-15-7) v.s. Columbus Blue Jackets (12-27-2)
When: Saturday, January 14th
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Little Caesars Arena
Where to Watch: ESPN+ / Bally Sports Detroit
Odds: According to DraftKings, the Detroit Red Wings are the favorite at -240 on the Moneyline. Columbus is +200. The Over/Under is set at 6.5, and you can take the Detroit Red Wings at -1.5 on the Puck Line for a +100 payout or Columbus +1.5 at -120 odds.
Prediction: With Detroit on a two-game win streak and Columbus on a three-game skid, I think the Red Wings will keep the good times rolling. I like the Red Wings to take things home and be able to get a couple behind Merzlikins. Not a ton of money to be made a -240 on the Moneyline, but I think the Red Wings have the offense firing really well, and this should show in tonight’s contest.
I like Detroit on the Puck Line. It feels like the offense will continue to get it done, and the defense can make some improvements from where they have been. The defensive efforts were surely better against Toronto, and the Red Wings have to keep things moving in the right direction.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.