Red Wings vs. Coyotes: Preview, predictions and best NHL bets

The boat is leaking. The tower is crumbling. The cake is melting. Choose your analogy: the Detroit Red Wings are spiraling. The Wings are mired in a six-game losing skid that has their playoff chances hanging by a thread.

Most troubling, Detroit is losing convincingly: in their six-game losing streak, the Wings have been outscored 32-11 (blech). The team is now firmly “on the bubble” for a playoff spot, finding themselves in a tie for the eighth and final slot in the Eastern Conference.

The absence of Dylan Larkin is hovering over the Red Wings like a bad omen, like an ominous cloud. Like a reminder of how wonderful things used to be. Oh to be wistful, Red Wings fans, for the time when the Red Wings were on the rise. Like just a few weeks ago when Detroit fashioned a six-game winning streak. This hockey team is 6-6 in its last 12 games, but that’s come with a big high point and a sinking-fast valley.

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Past performance does not predict future outcomes. Very true when discussing trends, but it’s hard not to see the goals that have been scored in the first period lately in Detroit games. There have been a dizzying 15 goals scored in the first period in the last four games played by the Red Wings. That’s 3.75 goals per period, and in three of the last four Wings games both teams have scored in the first period.

The Coyotes might be just what the Wings need. Arizona has been a cure for many ills among NHL teams since the Coyotes dropped 14 straight in January through February. But, the Coyotes (25-35-5), despite losing 18 of their last 21 since January 24, beat the Wings last week in Phoenix, 4-0.

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The Detroit Red Wings are not happy right now. You think the fans are upset? Imagine how testy the locker room is. On Wednesday during practice at The Home Slice (Little Caesars Arena), it was teammate vs. teammate, and the pushing and shoving got real. A little saucy might help get this team out of the L column, yes?

How much of a slump are the Red Wings in? In the last five games, Alex DeBrincat, Lucas Raymond, J.T. Compher, Robby Fabri, Andrew Copp and Michael Rasmussen have combined for 10 points. Those six players have had the most ice time for Detroit among centers and forwards this season, outside of the injured Dylan Larkin. Detroit won’t win (often) without that six-pack of front liners finding the net.

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There’s no way the Wings can be shut out again by Arizona is there? Surely, DeBrincat or Raymond will slip a puck past the goalie on Thursday? We think so. And we think the Wings will stop their losing streak at home while their fans enjoy Little Caesars Pizza in their seats in downtown Detroit.

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