Detroit Red Wings vs. Lightning Game 82 Preview, Prediction, Odds

The day has come. The Detroit Red Wings are in Florida to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena in what will be Game No. 82 of the 2022-23 season. The final straw for this year as the Red Wings put the season to rest.

What a year it has been, too, I might add. The Detroit Red Wings took steps in the right direction, showing traits of a true competitor and looking like they were going to hang around the postseason race for a while.

While the trade deadline shook things up, and the home-and-home with Ottawa changed things drastically, it was good to see the Red Wings in the hunt for the first time in quite a while. The rebuild continues to churn along, but it looks like it might become a thing of the past.

For now, the focus is on Game No.82 as the Red Wings have a tough match-up with Tampa Bay. The last time the two teams squared off, it was Andrei Vasilevskiy sticking it to Detroit, taking the game in his own hands, and pretty much sealing off the back of the net with a truly dominant performance.

Detroit Red Wings game information and prediction vs. Lightning

Tampa Bay is likely using this game as the final tune-up before they embark on another postseason run, as they’re slated to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in round one of the playoffs. The Bolts have dropped their last four match-ups and are looking to get back in the win column, but more importantly, play some better hockey and get back in the driver’s seat.

They know how to compete and know how to play meaningful hockey in April/May/June etc., so it’s about to be “go-time” for them. On the other hand, Detroit is just looking to go out on a high note, that being a “W” to finish 36-36-10.

Game: Detroit Red Wings (35-36-10) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (45-30-6)

When: Thursday, April 13th

Time: 7:00 PM ET

Where: Amalie Arena

Where to Watch: Bally Sports Detroit/ ESPN+

Odds: According to DraftKings, the Tampa Bay Lightning are the favorites in this one, with a -240 payout on the Moneyline. The Red Wings have a payout of +200 on the Moneyline. The Red Wings are +1.5 with a -120 payout on the Puck Line. The Lightning are -1.5 with a +100 payout on the Puck Line. The over/under is set at 6.5. The over has a +100 payout, and the under has a -120 payout.

Prediction: It’s time for my final prediction of the year. Some of these have been correct, and others (the overwhelming majority) have been laughable by the end of the game. But let’s have the emotions and fandom take over here. Hammer the Red Wings Moneyline. Just because it’s the last game of the year, and 36-36-10 sounds better than 35-37-10. Give me the Red Wings to take this one home, stealing a game from Tampa Bay in their barn as a nice send-off to the 2022-23 season.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.