The Tampa Bay Lightning (0-1-0) face the Detroit Red Wings (0-0-0) Thursday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Lightning vs. Red Wings odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Lightning raised their latest banner Tuesday, then they were humbled 6-2 by the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins. Three of the goals allowed were of the empty-net variety.
The Red Wings were bottom feeders last season, but they were a thorn in the side of the Lightning. Tampa edged Detroit 5-3, but the teams split the final six games, and each of the final three losses by the Red Wings were one-goal games.
Lightning at Red Wings odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:25 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Lightning -260 (bet $260 to win $100) | Red Wings +205 (bet $100 to win $205)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lightning -1.5 (-107) | Red Wings +1.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)
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Lightning at Red Wings projected goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy (0-1-0, 3.11 GAA, .906 SV%) vs. Alex Nedeljkovic (15-5-3, 1.90 GAA, .932 SV%, 3 SO in 2020-21 with Carolina)
Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 32 shots in Tuesday’s home loss against the Penguins. Facing the Red Wings should snap him back on track as he was 4-0-0 with a 1.49 GAA and .935 SV% vs. DET last season.
Nedeljkovic will make his highly anticipated team debut after coming over in a surprising trade from the Carolina Hurricanes during the offseason. He was 2-1-0 with a 1.02 GAA and .961 SV% with a shutout against the Lightning last season.
Lightning at Red Wings odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Lightning 3, Red Wings 2
Money line
It’s hard to envision the Lightning (-260) starting out 0-2 on the season. However, you can’t risk more than two-and-a-half times your potential return on the road against a Red Wings (+205) team that gave them fits last season.
AVOID.
Against the spread
Play the RED WINGS +1.5 (-115) on home ice. I don’t expect Detroit to win outright, but I think this is going to be a close game. If anybody on the Red Wings roster knows the Lightning best, it’s Nedeljkovic, who looks to pick up right where he left off in Raleigh, N.C.
Over/Under
UNDER 5.5 (+105) is a value play at plus-money. Tampa’s opener probably should have went Under, but head coach Jon Cooper pulled the goalie super early, allowing for several empty netters. The Under hit in three of the final four meetings between these teams last season. Look for more of the same here.
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