Edmonton Oilers vs. Detroit Red Wings prediction, NHL odds
The Edmonton Oilers keep life on the road going on Sunday when they visit one of the hottest teams to start this on NHL season, the Detroit Red Wings. Edmonton was in New Jersey yesterday afternoon, falling 5-3 and marking the Oilers second straight defeat. Detroit comes into Sunday having won four straight games, allowing seven goals total over that stretch.
Without stating the obvious, Edmonton is only 2-2-1 this season because their top players aren’t producing at their normal rates. This would be the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who still remain atop Edmonton’s point-getters but McDavid is still yet to score a goal this season and Draisaitl is under a point a game through five showings. And now facing a team playing sound defensive hockey in Detroit, the challenge to produce gets even more difficult.
Puck drop at Little Caesars Arena goes at 3:00 p.m. EDT with the Oilers a -145 moneyline favourite on the road and the over-under at six on the NHL odds.
Oilers vs. Red Wings NHL betting odds
Home ice has been a true advantage for the Red Wings as of late as they come into Sunday’s contest having won seven of their last eight outings at home. Edmonton comes in 2-4 in their last six road contests, both dating back to last season.
So far, both clubs have trended toward the under. Edmonton sits 28th in the NHL with 2.6 goals per contest, and it’s not a lack of effort as they rank 7th with over 31 shots per game. Detroit’s 2.4 goals against per game 6th in the NHL and what’s even more impressive is they for the most part have shut down good offences — beating Toronto, Florida, and Tampa Bay across this four-game win streak. Four of the last five Oilers–Red Wings battles played in Detroit have finished under the total.
Edmonton Oilers
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is the hot hand for the Oilers, scoring another two goals yesterday to get to him to a team-high four goals this season. Only Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl, and Andrew Mangiapane have multiple goals this season for Edmonton and only seven Edmonton skaters have found the back through five outings — and that list doesn’t include Connor McDavid. The superstar forward is still contributing for Edmonton though, leading the team with seven points via seven assists as he centres the top line of himself and Nugent-Hopkins and Mangiapane.
Calvin Pickard was between the pipes yesterday at New Jersey, meaning Stuart Skinner is in line to start the second leg of this Oilers back-to-back. Skinner has played three games so far and has a .921 save percentage on 76 shots faced.
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings acquired veteran goalie John Gibson in a trade this off-season and the move is paying early dividends. Gibson turned away 31 of 32 shots faced in Friday’s 2-1 overtime win versus Tampa Bay, a game in which Dylan Larkin ended in the extra period. Larkin leads the club with three goals and seven points. Meanwhile, 2023 first round pick Axel Sandin Pellikka scored his first NHL goal in the win too as the young defenceman is getting more and more minutes in the big leagues.
Head coach Todd McLellan has announced Gibson will get the start against Edmonton on Sunday. Patrick Kane exited Friday’s win with an upper-body injury and will not play Sunday, according to McLellan. Lucas Raymond is also considered day-to-day still after missing the last two games, but could suit up Sunday.
EDM
DET