The Detroit Red Wings aren’t nearly as good as the Winnipeg Jets, who are also one of the NHL’s best home teams. However, the Wings have a shot at an upset as a big NHL lines underdog Friday night with the Jets playing the second of a back-to-back.
Red Wings vs Jets NHL Spread & Prediction
“Just trying to stay mentally strong through it and get back as quick as I can. That’s all you can do” – Green on returning from injury.
More from Green, Nyquist, Larkin and Blashill following today’s practice day at Little Caesars Arena: pic.twitter.com/hxcuZZsNaz — Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) 10 de enero de 2019
- When: Friday, 8 PM ET
- Where: Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg
- TV: NHL Center Ice
- Live Stream: NHL.tv
- Radio: TuneIn
- NHL Spread: Winnipeg Jets -1.5 (Total 6.5)
Why Bet on Detroit?
Not all that long ago, the Red Wings were 14-13-4. Now, they are 16-22-7. They lost again on Tuesday, 3-2 at home to Montreal. The decisive goal in that one, ironically, was from the Habs’ Jeff Petry 19 seconds into the third. Petry, a Michigan native, is the son of former Tigers pitcher Dan Petry, who was a member of the Detroit team that won the World Series in 1984. Jeff Petry’s goal Tuesday was the 54th of his NHL career, but the first in Detroit.
Andreas Athanasiou scored two goals in the loss. Down 2-0, Athanasiou picked up the loose puck, looking off the goaltender before firing off a hard shot over Antti Niemi’s shoulder for the goal. Athanasiou then followed that one up with a one-timer off a setup from Anthony Mantha on a Detroit power play. He then came close to a hat trick of several occasions.
It was Anthansiou’s sixth goal in his last seven games since missing two games due to an upper-body issue, bringing the 24-year-old winger to 17 goals and 27 points in 39 games this season. Athanasiou is one goal away from tying his career-high. His previous career-high was 18 (2016-17). The 24-year-old has picked up five points in his last four games, too.
Gustav Nyquist picked up an assist in the loss. He has an assist in each of the past three games and has 27 assists and 37 points in 45 games this year. Jimmy Howard allowed three goals on 25 shots. Howard was first to beat off a scramble in front by Brendan Gallagher before Joel Armia beat him badly. Howard is now 11-12-5 with a 2.79 goals-against-average and a .916 save percentage.
Howard would prefer to stay with Detroit rather than be dealt at the trade deadline. Wings GM Ken Holland intends to speak with Howard and his representatives next month regarding the goaltender’s future. He can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
Top defenseman Mike Green (foot) should be available for Friday’s game. Green is on the injured reserve list, but Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill expressed confidence that Green would be ready. Green last played on Dec. 11. He has three goals and 16 points in 23 contests this season.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 2.80
- Shots: 28.78
- PP/PK Percentage: 17.09
Defense
- Goals: 3.42
- Shots: 33.82
- PP/PK Percentage: 21.62
Why Bet on Winnipeg?
Winnipeg entered Thursday’s game at Minnesota having won two straight. Connor Hellebuyck started in net for that one, so it will be Laurent Brossoit will be in the crease for Friday’s match. Brossoit has won his last five outings but hasn’t played since he posted a 40-save shutout against Vancouver on Dec. 22. He has gone 8-1-1 this year with a 2.11 GAA and .939 save percentage over 10 appearances.
It’s been a streaky season so far for Jets Patrik Laine. Entering Thursday, Laine has recorded just three goals in the last 18 games after he had 18 markers in 12 matches during November. He also started the year with three goals in 12 contests in October.
The Jets go for the season sweep as they won 2-1 in Detroit on Oct. 26. Veteran defenseman Dustin Byfuglien got his 500th career point when he snapped a tie with 6:45 left. Byfuglien skated in from the point and beat Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard from the bottom of the right circle. Kyle Connor scored in the second period, and Brossoit stopped 27 shots. Andreas Athanasiou scored for Detroit and Jimmy Howard had 38 saves.
Entering Thursday, Winnipeg has scored five goals or more in 15 games this season (15-0-0), which is tied for second in the NHL. After going 1-for-15 (6.7%) on the power play in seven games from Dec. 18-Jan. 4, the Jets are 4-for-8 on the power play in their past two games. The Jets lead the NHL in home power play percentage at 38.2%. They are in the midst of nine games in 16 days leading into the player and all-star break from Jan. 20-27.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.44
- Shots: 32.19
- PP/PK Percentage: 28.57
Defense
- Goals: 2.86
- Shots: 32.09
- PP/PK Percentage: 19.84
Red Wings vs Jets NHL Betting Trends
- Over is 10-1 in the last 11 meetings in Winnipeg
- Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings
- Red Wings are 6-16 in their last 22 vs. Western Conference
- Red Wings are 13-38 in their last 51 vs. a team with a winning record
- Jets are 12-4 in their last 16 vs. Atlantic
- Jets are 58-21 in their last 79 home games
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit’s last 8 games
- The total has gone OVER in 10 of Winnipeg’s last 11 games when playing at home against Detroit
Expert NHL Betting Prediction for Red Wings vs Jets
Jets prevail 4-3.
