The Detroit Red Wings, boasting a record of 3-1, are set to host the Tampa Bay Lightning, who currently stand at 1-2-1, this evening at Little Caesars Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m., with the game available for viewing on the FanDuel Sports Network and listening on 97.1 FM.
In this matchup, the standings show Tampa favored with a line of -1.5 at +160, while Detroit offers a line of +1.5 at -190 according to ESPNBet odds.
Alex DeBrincat has been a standout performer for the Red Wings, leading the team with 15 shots on goal and six points, despite facing some tough luck in terms of scoring. Conversely, J.T. Compher has struggled, recording no points and just two shots over the course of the first four games.
Rookie Axel Sandin Pellikka continues to impress as he secures his place in the lineup, averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per game as a second-pairing defenseman, while searching for his first NHL point. Meanwhile, Lucas Raymond remains day-to-day with an upper-body injury; he participated in practice recently, and Coach Todd McLellan expressed confidence that Raymond handled himself well during the session.
In net for Detroit, John Gibson will make his first appearance since the opening-night defeat, where he recorded an 8.07 goals-against-average and .615 save percentage. McLellan defended Gibson’s previous outing, saying, “He didn’t have a bad outing. We had a bad outing.” On the offensive side, Patrick Kane is chasing a significant milestone, needing just six goals to reach 500 career goals, which would make him the fifth U.S.-born player in NHL history to achieve this feat. Additionally, he is just 27 points shy of surpassing Mike Modano for the most career points by an American player.
On the Tampa side, the Lightning are struggling defensively, averaging four goals allowed per game, placing them 28th in the league. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy has also had a rocky start with an 0-2-1 record, a 4.08 GAA, and an .870 save percentage. Brayden Point has contributed five points but carries a minus-5 rating.
The projected lines include familiar faces for both teams, showcasing talent and potential, as players aim to make an impact. The excitement is palpable as fans anticipate the clash between these two formidable teams this evening at Little Caesars Arena.