Detroit Red Wings vs. Florida Panthers: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 12/8/2022

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Venue: FLA Live Arena, Sunrise, FL

Where to watch: ESPN+/Hulu, SN360

DraftKings: Panthers -195, Red Wings +165

FanDuel: Panthers -192, Red Wings +158

BetMGM: Panthers -190, Red Wings +155

Caesars: Panthers -196, Red Wings +162

Red Wings: 13-7-5

Panthers: 12-10-4

The Detroit Red Wings might be the Jekyll & Hyde of the NHL. One minute they can look really good and go on a nice win streak, then they could lose a couple and look like they’re back on the mend, only to win some more and look like they’re on the come-up. Because only this team would lose three in a row and follow that with an impressive 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. And surprisingly enough, the under has been the cause of everything in four of the last five. Even in the wins, Detroit is finding ways to get good goaltending from Ville Husso, especially on the road. Detroit is averaging 3.73 goals on the road while giving up 3.36. So, there’s clearly a formula there. Husso made 44 saves in the win in Tampa, including 28 in the third.

 

"This is a team that has been to the [Stanley Cup] Final for the last three years," Husso said. "So, we knew we had to play at their level. That's when our structure and all that stuff helps us."

 

The Red Wings are certainly getting performances to put them in the playoff conversation, but there’s too much inconsistency to believe they can make it happen. But the problem is the favorite is 20-7 in the last 27 meetings between the two. Detroit is posting as high as +165 heading into this one. Take with that what you will.

 

Talk about a complete disappointment, the Florida Panthers are drowning and hoping for a life vest. The Panthers have lost seven of 10 with the over going 8-1-1 in that stretch. You do the math. They’re giving up a ton of goals and not getting stops needed to stop the bleeding. There’s inconsistent goaltending between Spencer Knight and Sergei Bobrovsky, they don’t have captain Sasha Barkov (illness) or Anton Lundell (undisclosed) and both are likely to be questionable in this game. Florida’s latest horrendous masterpiece was a 5-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets days after beating the Vancouver Canucks and Seattle Kraken. But based on the talent level, the Panthers are obviously favorites.

 

"Spencer's had a good run," Maurice said. "It wasn't happening for him tonight. He's been good for us. Sergei needed a good feeling in our net. I thought he came in and was real good. Solid."

 

Whomever they get in goal, that’s going to be the one that needs to start playing well in order for the Panthers to reach their full potential. One of them is going to have to go in the playoffs and when that time comes, someone will be ready. Especially knowing there might be a lot of goals. The over has cashed in Florida’s last five home games, while the Panthers are also 7-1 in their last 8 home games following a long road trip.

 

The Red Wings have dropped their last five meetings in Florida while the under is 4-1-1 in the last six meetings in Sunrise. If the under is happening, it’s due to the Panthers scoring a bunch of goals and keeping Detroit off the scoresheet. Panthers win 5-1

Red Wings are 20-20 after allowing 2 goals or more in the third period in the last game the last 2 seasons.

Panthers are 6-10 after an over this season.

Red Wings are 58-64 off 2 or more consecutive road wins since 1996.

Red Wings:

Dominik Kubalik -- Dylan Larkin -- David Perron

Pius Suter -- Michael Rasmussen -- Lucas Raymond

Adam Erne -- Andrew Copp -- Oskar Sundqvist

Jonatan Berggren -- Joe Veleno - Austin Czarnik

Ben Chiarot -- Moritz Seider

Olli Maatta -- Filip Hronek

Jake Walman -- Jordan Oesterle

Ville Husso

Panthers:

Carter Verhaeghe -- Sam Bennett -- Matthew Tkachuk

Nick Cousins -- Eetu Luostarinen -- Sam Reinhart

Ryan Lomberg -- Eric Staal -- Chris Tierney

Aleksi Heponiemi -- Colin White

Gustav Forsling -- Aaron Ekblad

Marc Staal -- Brandon Montour

Josh Mahura -- Matt Kiersted

Sergei Bobrovsky

Points: Dylan Larkin – 26

Goals: Dominik Kubalik – 10

Assists: Dylan Larkin – 18

Goalie: Ville Husso – 11-4-3, 2.54 GAA, .916 SV%

Points: Matthew Tkachuk -- 35

Goals: Carter Verhaeghe -- 15

Assists: Matthew Tkachuk -- 23

Goalie: Spencer Knight -- 8-4-3, 2.64 GAA, .919 SV%