The Detroit Red Wings, having won seven of their previous eight games, will travel to Amerant Bank Arena to play the Florida Panthers on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN).
The Red Wings certainly don't miss former head coach Derek Lalonde, having won seven of nine since his long-awaited departure. Despite their brilliant form, Detroit is a clear underdog against a Panthers team that is among the Stanley Cup favorites.
The Panthers have been surprisingly quiet lately, but they are coming off an impressive 2-1 win over New Jersey on Tuesday. Our prediction for the Red Wings vs. Panthers matchup features Evan Rodriguez and Dylan Larkin.
Red Wings vs Panthers prediction for today
NHL odds via our top NHL betting sites; confidence in picks on a scale of 1 to 5 stars.
Top pick: Dylan Larkin Over 2.5 shots (-105 via Betway) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Evan Rodriguez: Over 1.5 shots (-105 via Betway) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
My top pick for the Red Wings-Panthers matchup: Dylan Larkin Over 2.5 shots ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The San Jose Sharks snapped Detroit's seven-game winning streak on Tuesday. And while the Red Wings probably won't fall off a cliff right away, I don't expect their post-Lalon surge to last long.
Despite the Panthers' 3-3-1 record in their last seven home games, I like them to prevail in regulation time. However, at -140, I don't see the point in backing a team suffering from recent inconsistency. Another attractive bet is betting that the Red Wings will score at least 2.5 goals.
They have scored at least three goals in eight straight games. However, I have a suspicion that they are on a collision course with some performance regression.
The Red Wings captain has tallied at least three shots in seven of his last nine games. Larkin is averaging 3.9 shots per game over that span.
He has hit the over in two of his last three games against the Panthers. Finally, the Panthers are oddly enough allowing the eighth-most shots per game on home ice (29.3). Larkin can capitalize on that advantage. If he does, a $10 bet would yield a profit of $9.52.
Best odds: -105 via Betway | Odds: 51.22%
Best player picks in Red Wings vs. Panthers matchup
NHL picks are made Thursday; odds are subject to change.
Evan Rodriguez: Over 1.5 shots ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Evan Rodriguez is one of the most productive players with limited ice time. Although his 11:13 average ice time in the last two games is a concern, Rodriguez has scored in six of the previous seven games, including three in a row. He has also put two or more shots on goal in five of the last seven games at Amerant Bank Arena.
Even if he only plays 11 minutes, I still like his chances to test the Red Wings goalie (likely Cam Talbot) twice.
Best odds: -105 at Betway | Estimated probability: 51.22%
Information about the Red Wings vs. Panthers matchup
When: Thursday, January 16
Scoring: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Amerant Bank Arena (Sunrise, Fla.)
How to watch: ESPN
Favorite: Panthers (-225 Betway odds)
