The Detroit Red Wings will face off against the Anaheim Ducks at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday evening, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The matchup features the Ducks, who proudly sit atop the Pacific Division with an 11-4-1 record, against a Red Wings team currently struggling at 9-7 and outside the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.
Fans can catch the action live on FanDuel Sports Network and 97.1 FM. The betting odds reflect Detroit as the underdog at -1.5 (+180), while Anaheim is favored at +1.5 (-235).
The Ducks are entering this contest after a strong performance, having achieved a seven-game winning streak before falling to the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday. In contrast, the Red Wings are reeling from a tough stretch, having been outscored 10-2 during a three-game losing streak. Notably, Detroit’s power play has faltered, going 1-for-20 in recent games, and the team has seen its scoring average drop to 2.75 goals per game, ranking them 25th in the league.
In a broader context, Detroit had faced Anaheim just weeks earlier, suffering a 5-2 defeat on Halloween. Goaltender John Gibson, who was in net for that match, will take the ice once more against his former team. So far this season, he has allowed four or more goals in five of his nine appearances, highlighting a need for improvement.
Hot on the ice, the Ducks boast the second-highest scoring average in the NHL with 3.94 goals per game and have registered four or more goals in ten of their 16 matches. Leo Carlsson has been a standout performer, ranking second in the league scoring race with 26 points, including 11 goals and 15 assists.
As the teams prepare for this intriguing matchup, one player to watch for Detroit is center Nate Danielson, who will be given more opportunities to showcase his skills at the NHL level.
In terms of team lineups, the Red Wings are expected to feature Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Larkin, and Lucas Raymond on their top line, while Anaheim will counter with Chris Kreider, Leo Carlsson, and Troy Terry leading their charge.
Both teams face injury challenges; the Ducks will be without Mikael Granlund for the foreseeable future and will also be missing Radko Gudas, while Ryan Strome’s status remains day-to-day.
This game presents a crucial opportunity for the Red Wings to regain momentum and overcome their recent struggles against a formidable Ducks squad, making for an exciting evening of hockey in Detroit.