Blackhawks vs Red Wings Picks, Predictions, and Odds Tonight

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08 March 2023

Blackhawks vs Red Wings Picks, Predictions, and Odds Tonight

While Detroit isn't having a great season, it pales in comparison to the disaster that is Chicago. We're fading one of the worst teams in the NHL and breaking this matchup down in our Blackhawks vs. Red Wings betting picks.

Photo By - USA TODAY Sports

In the first game of Wednesday night’s TNT doubleheader, the Detroit Red Wings will play host to the Chicago Blackhawks. Both of these clubs enter this contest in miserable form, with Chicago losing four of its last five games and Detroit losing each of its last six.

Will the Red Wings snap their losing streak on home ice, or can the Blackhawks pull off the upset on the road? Find out in our free NHL picks and predictions for Blackhawks vs. Red Wings on March 8.

Blackhawks vs Red Wings best odds

Blackhawks vs Red Wings picks and predictions

There is no sugar-coating the fact that both of these teams are absolutely terrible. That said, the Detroit Red Wings are still better than the Chicago Blackhawks in every aspect of the game.

At 5-on-5, the Wings rank higher than the Hawks in both expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) and expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). Not only does Detroit boast the advantage both offensively and defensively, but it possesses the edge in net as well.

Ville Husso is projected to get the start between the pipes for the Wings and should be a great candidate to back. Through 46 starts this season, Husso boasts a .904 save percentage (SV%) and 2.93 goals against average (GAA).

Based on Husso's underlying metrics, regression should not be an issue as Husso ranks in the top half of the league among starting goaltenders in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5-on-5. In his lone career start against the Hawks, Husso stopped 15 of 16 shots in an effortless 5-1 win.

Across the ice, Petr Mrazek is slated to get the nod in the crease for Chicago. One of the worst netminders in hockey this season, Mrazek is 8-18-2 with a .891 SV% and 3.74 GAA.

His underlying metrics are just as poor, ranking 25th among starting goaltenders in GSAx/60 at 5-on-5. This poor play is likely to continue against his former team, as Mrazek possesses a troubling .883 SV% against Detroit in 12 appearances.

Back the superior team to take care of business on home ice.

My best bet: Red Wings -1.5 (+110 at BetMGM)

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Blackhawks vs Red Wings moneyline analysis

If you like Detroit in this matchup, then taking the puck line at +110 is the direction to head instead of laying –250 on the moneyline. Entering this matchup, an astonishing 23 of Chicago’s last 25 losses have come by at least a two-goal margin.

Meanwhile, five of the Wings’ last six wins have been by at least two goals. On top of that, five of Detroit’s last six wins against the Hawks have come by at least a two-goal margin. The Wings are better than Chicago in every aspect of this game, and the trends suggest backing them on the puck line instead of laying too much juice on the moneyline.

Blackhawks vs Red Wings Over/Under analysis

Chicago is a tough team to gauge in regards to handicapping the total, which is why the O/U is nearly .500 in its games this season. The primary reason for this is that the Blackhawks are one of the few squads in the league that struggles to score and shut down opposing offenses.

At 5-on-5, the Hawks rank in the bottom two of the league in both xGF/60 and xGA/60. This poor two-way play is only going to continue to get worse, especially when you look at the current construction of the roster following their flurry of moves at the trade deadline.

The Hawks might as well change their name to the Rockford Ice Hogs, considering that 90% of this current lineup features AHL players. Their lack of scoring options offensively would suggest taking the Under, but their uninspired defense and lackluster goaltender is also capable of allowing teams to notch six goals on their own.