NHL Calgary Flames vs Detroit Red Wings: Prediction, Odds & Best Bets

Hockey is back to the forefront in Detroit and for good reason. The Red Wings are off to a hot start with a 4-1-0 record through their first 5 games. They will be hosting the Calgary Flames (2-2-1) after a 5-2 win yesterday in Ottawa vs the Senators.

Detroit is led by their Captain Dylan Larkin who leads the team in assists with 7 and points with 9. He is really seeing the ice well this year with 7 apples already, but that is also due to new help.

Their biggest pick up in the offseason is showing he was worth it. Alex DeBrincat has 8 points so far and leads the team with 5 goals. DeBrincat brings in much needed offense and help to Larkin out on the 1st line.

The Red Wings also picked up left winger JT Compher from Colorado, defensemen Jeff Petry from Pittsburgh and Shayne Gostisbehere returned to the team after a mid-season pick up. Former Calder winner Moritz Seider leads the 1st defensive line and is off to a good start.

Goaltending is key to contending in this league and Detroit is looking pretty good. Ville Husso is coming off a decent year, starting 56 games with a record of 26-22-7. It was his first year with the majority of the load as a starter.

Husso is off to a 3-1-0 start this year with a 3.04 GAA. His counterpart, James Reimer, has started one game this year and it was a 23 save shutout vs the Blue Jackets. Reimer will be in between the pipes for the Wings tonight vs the Flames.

Can the Flames bounce back from last year's failure?

It was a rough year in Calgary for hockey fans last year. They said goodbye to 2 of their best players and stayed with a coach who was not about winning. He was also one grumpy mo-fo, but I digress.

The exits of Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk were felt big time. Calgary filled their voids slightly by picking up Jonathan Huberdeau in the Tkachuk trade to Florida and signed Nazem Kadri in the offseason. Both great offensive players to add to a hurting roster.

Elias Lindholm and Mikael Backlund stepped up on offense last year while Noah Hanafin and Rasmus Andersson held down their defense. Jacob Markstrom makes his return as the starting goalie in his 4th year with the team. He had a mediocre year last year vs the 37-win season the previous year.

The biggest difference this year for Calgary will be the coaching. They finally removed coach Darryl Sutter after his 2nd stint with the team. In 2022, they were the 1st in the Pacific and a favorite to win the cup, but last year they fell to 5th in the Pacific, missing the playoffs. Results, along with player relationships, led to his tenure ending in Calgary.

Betting Odds

Puck Line

• Calgary Flames -1.5 (+158)
• Detroit Red Wings +1.5 (-192)

Moneyline

• Calgary Flames -142
• Detroit Red Wings +118

Totals

• Over 6.5 (-122)
• Under 6.5 (+100)

Odds courtesy of BetUS

Game Information

Wrapping up this road trip with an afternoon tilt vs. the Red Wings!

📺: @Sportsnet 1, West
📻: @Sportsnet960
⏰: 3:00 PM MT
📍: Detroit, MI
#️⃣: #Flames | @PlayAlbertaCA pic.twitter.com/RRLsugUAg5

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) October 22, 2023

Calgary Flames vs Detroit Red Wings Prediction and Picks

Prediction and Pick: Detroit Red Wings ML (+118)

The Red Wings are coming off a back-to-back, but it's not a far trip from Ottawa back to Detroit. They're off to such a hot start that it's hard not to back them.

Detroit is coming off a big 5-2 win yesterday afternoon vs the Senators. Role players really stepped up yesterday for that win. Joe Veleno buried 2 goals, Gostisbehere scored, and Larkin had a goal and two assists.

With Reimer in net, I'm still backing the Red Wings. They will have their work cut out for them because they are playing a rested Calgary team and coming off the back-to-back. Although the odds are against them, I think they continue to roll.

Look for Larkin to continue to stay hot and for Alex DeBrincat to have a game. DeBrincat was held to nothing yesterday vs his former team, so he'll be looking to bounce back.

They have won both of their games at home this year totaling 12 goals. DeBrincat scored 2 goals in each of those home games, so any time goal is worth the spinkle. Give me the Wings at plus chicky to get the job done.

Player Prop: Elias Lindholm O2.5 Shots on Goal (-132)

Lindholm has been hot these last 4 games and we're going to simply ride the hot hand here. He has hit his line in the last 4 games and had 6 shots on goal last game.

He was one of the biggest pieces of this offense last year, so not surprised he is picking up where he left off. Elias is leading the team in point with 6 and ties the lead for assists with 4.

He's playing on the first line and first line for the power play. With Huberdeau and Mangiapane on his line, this makes the defense really have to stay on their toes because all are dangerous. Guys like this on your line just make all opportunities go up and I expect him to fire today.

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