Welcome to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey looks at the games happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play in. Today, we’re looking at the Detroit Red Wings against the Calgary Flames. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions every day there’s hockey this 2024-25 season.
NHL Predictions
Detroit Red Wings (25-21-5) vs Calgary Flames (25-18-7)
Head-to-Head: Red Wings lead 1-0
Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: ESPN+ | A FDSN DET | CBC, CITY, SN
The Calgary Flames and Detroit Red Wings will play their final head-to-head game of the season tonight. In the first matchup, Detroit won a tight contest 2-1 in overtime on home ice. The teams looked significantly even over the initial 60 minutes before Detroit capitalized on an overtime power play, getting the win. Calgary and Detroit are in a similar situation and are heading into action tonight. The Calgary Flames hold the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Still, they are just one point up on the Vancouver Canucks. Detroit is currently two points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Both teams head into action tonight, needing to get points and keep pace in their push to the playoffs. Let’s take a closer look at the latest storylines for each team and make a prediction ahead of tonight’s matchup.
Detroit Making A Push For The Playoffs
The Detroit Red Wings came into the 2024-2025 season as a team many had picked to make the jump to become a playoff team. The season in Detroit did not get off to a strong start, and after losing 9 of 12 games, the Wings fired head coach Derek Lalonde in late December. Since hiring his replacement, Todd McLellan, the Wings have looked much better. The Wings have won 12 of the first 17 games under McLellan and are now making a push for a playoff spot.
Two young stars are leading the Red Wings. Up front, 22-year-old Lucas Raymond leads the team in scoring with 56 points and 20 goals this season. On the backend, 23-year-old Moritz Seider has become the Wings’ top defenceman. He currently quarterbacks their power play and sits fourth on the team in scoring. Detroit has talented veteran pieces around these two young players, with stars like Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, and Patrick Kane. Detroit will need their top-end players to play their best to push them to the playoffs, as Detroit doesn’t have the best depth. The Wings have also struggled to find a long-term solution in the net. Veteran Cam Talbot and unproven starter Alex Lyon are currently minding the net for Detroit, and the Wings will need them to play above where they have to this point if they want to make the playoffs.
Flames Pushing For the Playoffs
The Calgary Flames were supposed to be destined for the draft lottery this season. However, the team had other plans. Calgary got off to a hot start and has continued to find ways to win. They’ve found themselves in a playoff spot for nearly the entire season. Calgary is being led by stud rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf, who is having one of the best rookie goaltender seasons of all time. He currently has the 5th-best save percentage and 13th-best goal-against average. His play is the biggest reason Calgary finds themselves in the playoffs despite their offensive struggles.
Despite their offensive struggles, Calgary’s ability to win and stay in the playoff race prompted general manager Craig Conroy to make a move to improve this group. Calgary recently traded away Andrei Kuzmenko, Jakob Pelletier, and a pair of draft picks to Philadelphia for Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee. These two young players should help the Flames create more offence. In addition, they give the Flames more depth in their top-nine forward group. Calgary hopes both players can add some much-needed secondary scoring behind veterans Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri, who are currently leading Calgary offensively.
NHL Predictions Flames and Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are coming into Calgary after a big win against Edmonton to start a tough four-game road trip. Detroit is in playoff mode, so expect them to bring a strong effort to Calgary tonight. The Wings haven’t allowed more than two goals in their last five games, and they should be able to continue this trend against the low-scoring Flames.
Calgary has been one of the better teams this season on home ice and should be amped up for this game, as it’s the debut of their newly acquired forwards, Frost and Farabee. Expect this game to stay close with the Wings’ current play and Dustin Wolf in the net for Calgary. In a close game, expect Calgary to outlast the Wings and score an opportunistic goal to get the win.
Prediction: Flames Win 4-3
Prop Bets of The Night
We’ve predicted a higher-scoring game, so taking the game total over 5.5 goals at +175 could be a good choice.
It wouldn’t be shocking to see the Wings pick up a powerplay goal against the Flames struggling penalty kill. Look for player props on Alex DeBrincat or Lucas Raymond to pick up a powerplay tonight.
On the Flames side, Matthew Coronato is coming off a 2-goal game and has been dangerous lately. It’s worth looking at an over on 0.5 points for him tonight. A fun one for the Flames is taking Joel Farabee to record a point in his first game with the Flames.
Main Photo: Tim Fuller- Imagn Images
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