Anaheim Ducks vs. Detroit Red Wings Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Anaheim Ducks (11-19-0) jumped out of the gates in 2023-24 as hot as seemingly any team in the NHL, but in recent weeks, the wheels have fallen completely off. Now, it appears they find themselves in the all too familiar spot of looking up at the rest of the division ahead of them. Still, with so much young, exciting talent, there's certainly plenty of optimism to be had around the future of this organization.
In this one, they'll face off against the Detroit Red Wings (15-11-4), who too have struggled in recent times. In arguably the toughest division in the NHL, they find themselves sliding down the standings under the weight of several key injuries, so they will look at this matchup as a key opportunity to turn the tide in their favor.
Can the Ducks revive their once thriving 2023-24 season?
The Anaheim Ducks came into the 2023-24 season with very few expectations, but jumped out of the gate quickly, picking up wins in eight of their first 11 games, unfortunately, things haven't continued that way, as the team has just two wins in their past 15 games, taking them to 11-19-0 on the season, placing them in dead last in the Pacific Division. In 15 games on the road this season, the Ducks have managed just a 6-9-0 record, and with a -23 goal differential on the season, their slim hope at a playoff run is slipping away further by the day, even with one of the most talented and exciting young cores in the NHL.
While the Ducks started hot offensively, they've slowed down in recent weeks, with just two players in Frank Vatrano and Mason MacTavish over 20 points on the season, with standout rookie Leo Carlsson impressing in his 21 games with 14 points, but in net is where they've struggled as of late, with their goaltenders now combining for a 3.48 GAA and an .897 save percentage on the season. Their last time out was an impressive upset over the New Jersey Devils, with a hat-trick to Adam Henrique leading the way while Dostal and Gibson combined to stop 28 of the 29 shots that came their way in a much needed 5-1 victory.
Can the Red Wings stop their slide in the Atlantic Division?
The Detroit Red Wings have been a team on the rise for several years now, and after a fast start, it appears they are ready for a playoff run in 2023-24, but in recent weeks, they've begun to struggle, posting a 1-4-1 record over their past six games, taking them to 15-11-4 on the season, sliding them down into fourth place, just one spot ahead of Tampa Bay in the stacked Atlantic Division. At home this season, Detroit has been more than solid, posting an 8-5-3 mark over that time, and while this is a team that's had its ups and downs, the optimism remains that they can be a genuine threat in the division and to the entire Eastern Conference, and with a +12 goal differential if they can find their consistency, that may certainly ring true.
Patrick Kane has been off to a slow start for Detroit (two points in six games), but the same can't be said for their two biggest stars in Alex DeBrincat (26 points) and Dylan Larkin (25 points), and if they can continue getting solid goaltending (their three starters have combined for a 3.17 GAA and a .905 save percentage), this is a team that looks like a genuine contender. Last time out was another tough loss for the Red Wings, this time to the Philadelphia Flyers, and while Husso and Lyon were strong in net, stopping 32 of 33 shots on the night, they managed no goals on 33 shots of their own, as a crucial two points go begging as they fall 1-0 to the Flyers.
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Full-Game Side Bet
Rating:
These two teams haven't matched up often that much over the past five seasons, and when they have met, things have been even with a 5-5 record in their past 10 head-to-head meetings, but in 2023-24, there's certainly a clear gap in depth and talent all over the ice, even with the Ducks promising future.
In their past 15 games, Anaheim has managed just two victories, with seven losses in a row on the road before a Sunday night win over the Devils, and for Detroit, they've been a solid team at home all season with an 8-5-3 record, so while it should be much closer than a man would expect, the Red Wings edge in talent and veteran experience, as well as momentum coming into this one will help them win out here.
Take Detroit with the puck line
Prediction: Detroit -1.5
Full-Game Total Pick
Rating:
Given the young, versatile talent on these teams, the expectation would be that they're scoring lots of goals every single night, but in their past 10 head-to-head meetings, the under is 6-4 over that time, with their past three meetings totaling just a combined 14 goals.
For the Ducks, the under is 5-1 in their past six overall games, with the average goals scored sitting at 4.8 in their past six games away from home, and for Detroit, the under is 4-5-1 in their past 10 games, and after a 1-0 defeat last time out, it's clear this team is missing some of their offensive threats, but with two talented goaltenders in net, this one should be a tight, physical game between two very talented teams.
Keep it simple, take the under.
