Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the NHL match.
Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings approach this game with a 3-game winning streak, winning 6 out of their last 7 matches. In their last 8 winning games, Detroit have scored at least 4 goals. This attests to the team's attacking prowess, and their total goals scored per game make them the best in the Eastern Conference and second-best in the entire league, surpassed only by the Vancouver Canucks. The average total goals in games involving the Red Wings stand at 6.5, ranking 4th in the Eastern Conference. Under coach Derek Lalonde, the team holds the 4th position in the conference and sits at 3rd place in terms of points lost. The top scorers for the team, Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Larkin, have each accumulated 24 points, placing them 32nd and 34th, respectively, among all league players. Additionally, DeBrincat is among the top 15 goal scorers of the season.
San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks are one of the main underdogs of the season, they’re in the midst of a rebuilding phase with little improvement evident so far. While the Sharks have started to earn points in recent matches, they still find themselves at the second-to-last position in the Western Conference, ahead of only the equally struggling Chicago Blackhawks. San Jose have scored the fewest goals and conceded the most in the conference. The average total goals in their games stand at exactly 6, ranking 4th from the bottom in the Western Conference. Their away performance has been particularly poor, with 11 losses and only 2 wins, one of which was beyond regulation time. Czech forward Tomas Hertl leads the team in scoring with 21 points, ranking 61st in the league.
Detroit Red Wings – San Jose Sharks prediction
I believe the home side will win, but it is likely to be a hard-fought victory. The Red Wings today are not necessarily dominant, and their style may involve defeating a favourite only to lose to an underdog. Therefore, a reasonable option might be to consider a handicap in favour of the visitors. The handicap (+2.5) on San Jose has worked in 9 out of the last 11 head-to-head games and in the last 3 matches involving the Sharks in this championship.
