Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NHL match.
These teams faced off just four days ago, with the home side, the Philadelphia Flyers, coming out on top 4:1. Now, the venue shifts, and between these games, both the Red Wings and the Flyers were tested against division leaders.
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings passed their test against the Toronto Maple Leafs (4:2). They had a stroke of luck when Mitch Marner's goal was disallowed for offsides with the score at 1:0 in their favour. This victory over the Maple Leafs was their first in four recent home games. But who did they lose to? Eastern Conference leaders the New Jersey Devils (4:5), Vancouver Canucks, who play better away than most teams at home (4:5 OT), and Colorado Avalanche, featuring two players in the league's top five point scorers (1:2). Notably, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen only managed to score during a power play, which is a positive takeaway for the Red Wings.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers, meanwhile, faltered against the Minnesota Twins (1:4), a team that had been struggling for form themselves. The Flyers' defence and Samuel Ersson (85.7%) allowed the Minnesota Wild's scorers — Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, and Marco Rossi — to all find the net. Offensively, they failed to capitalise on the same 22 shots as the home team. Their power play also faltered (0 for 3), with only Matvei Michkov shining. In this aspect, the Flyers lag behind the Detroit Red Wings, with a success rate of 16.7% compared to 24.4%, placing them 26th to the Red Wings' 8th.
Detroit Red Wings vs Philadelphia Flyers Prediction
In four of their last five encounters with the Flyers at Little Caesars Arena, the Red Wings have not lost in regulation, winning three outright. Both teams are evenly matched at full strength, so special teams' effectiveness will be crucial. The most reliable option is a double chance for the home team.
