Boston Bruins at Detroit Red Wings odds, picks and predictions
The Boston Bruins (21-7-6) take on the Detroit Red Wings (17-15-4) Sunday at Little Caesars Arena. Puck drop is set for 5 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Bruins vs. Red Wings odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
After a 4-game losing streak, the B's have won 2 in a row, the last one coming Saturday against the New Jersey Devils 5-2. They begin a 2-game road trip in this back end of a back-to-back Sunday. The Bruins pose the 5th-best defense at 2.59 goals allowed per game. While they are just 15th at 3.15 goals per game, they are great on special teams. Their power play is 4th at 27.9%, and their penalty kill is 3rd at 85.9%.
The Red Wings have really struggled this month at 5-8-1. They are the fresher bunch, coming off a 5-4 overtime win Friday against the Nashville Predators. After a hot October with 9 goals, RW Alex DeBrincat cooled off with just 8 since then. He's starting to turn it back up with goals in consecutive games.
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Bruins at Red Wings odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:14 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Bruins -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Red Wings +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Bruins -1.5 (+185) | Red Wings +1.5 (-225)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Bruins at Red Wings projected goalies
Jeremy Swayman (10-2-4, 2.17 GAA, .929 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Alex Lyon (5-3-0, 2.39 GAA, .925 SV%, 1 SO)
Swayman broke a 3-game losing streak with a gem against the Buffalo Sabres Wednesday. He stopped 25 of 26, and despite the losing streak, he has a 2.17 GAA in December. Detroit got to him Nov. 24 in a 5-2 defeat where he stopped 23 of 27.
Lyon has been a little susceptible, allowing 3+ goals in 3 of his 4 December starts. He was between the pipes in the overtime win Friday, stopping 33 of 37 fired his way. He faced these Bruins in 3 games with the Florida Panthers in the opening round of the playoffs last year, and he had a decent .902 SV%.
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Bruins at Red Wings picks and predictions
Prediction
Red Wings 5, Bruins 3
Moneyline
The Red Wings are a little more rested, they're at home and beat the B's a month ago. They are 10-6-3 at home overall and are starting to figure it out after a rough stretch. The Wings have won 3 of the last 4 matchups against Boston, so I'll roll with the value here as Lyon has experience in the playoffs against them.
Take the RED WINGS +115.
Puck line/Against the spread
We're picking a multi-goal victory here, but I'll stick with the value on the ML. The Bruins are the better team, but the circumstances make me lean toward the home side.
PASS.
Over/Under
I really loathe taking Over 6.5, but at least the even money makes it somewhat better. Three of the last 4 matchups have gone Over this total, and 7 of the last 10 overall for the Wings have cashed it.
LEAN OVER 6.5 (+100).
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