Will the Red Wings Exceed Their Projected Point Total?

Vegas and various betting sites have released their projected projected point totals for the NHL’s 2021-22 regular season and according to Wynnbet.com, the line for the Detroit Red Wings sits at 77.5.

In the shortened season last year, the Red Wings finished with 48 points in 56 games – that’s an average of .86 points earned per game. 2019-20 saw a significantly worse point total, as one of the worst Wings squads in history finished with just 39 points in 71 games (An average of .55 points per game).

With Vegas setting the total at 77.5 this year, it looks as if the national expectation for Detroit is trending upwards. If the team finished with 78 points in ’21-’22, it’d be the most since 2016-17 (The year after the playoff streak ended). To put the point total in perspective with the last two altered seasons, the Red Wings would have to increase their points earned per game to .95 – as mentioned before, the ’19-’20 team averaged .55 points earned per game and the ’20-’21 team finished at .86.

It’s not hard to understand why the projected point total is trending upwards. The defense improved heavily last season and only looks to be improving and the net is rock solid with Alex Nedeljkovic and Thomas Greiss. Fans will finally start to see some of Steve Yzerman’s prospects make it to the main roster; Moritz Seider is essentially locked in as a day one starter, Joe Veleno will be fighting for a spot all year and Lucas Raymond and Jonatan Berggren will develop with the Grand Rapids Griffins, waiting for a chance to make a push to Detroit.

In all likelihood, if Detroit really does surpass their projected point total this season, it’ll probably be on the backs of some stellar goaltending and the defense continuing to improve under Head Coach Jeff Blashill’s system. However, there’s a chance some of the rookies become a major factor in improvement. Players like Raymond and Seider have a good chance to make an instant impact, especially offensively.

There’s also a scenario in which Detroit regresses this season. It’s not likely, but if the defense takes a step back, the goaltending is shaky and/or the offense stays stagnate, the Red Wings could be in for a brutal year returning to normal division play. On paper, the team has gotten better, but a return to a division with the Bruins, the Panthers, the Lightning and the Maple Leafs at the top could certainly have an effect on the progress of the rebuild.

There’s finally a glimmer of hope for the Red Wings future and the increased odds reflect that. ’21-’22 will be a fantastic illustration of the state of the rebuild – and the Yzerplan.