Free NHL Picks Today: Detroit Red Wings vs Tampa Bay Lightning 12/21/22

The Tampa Bay Lightning (-170) head to take on the Detroit Red Wings (+145), who will be looking to snap their losing streak, at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday.

The total is 6.5 (O: +100, U: -120)Tampa Bay (20-10-1) is playing the second of a back-to-back after suffering a 4-1 loss against the Maple Leafs yesterday, ending a streak of five consecutive wins.

The Lightning conceded a power play goal while failing to take advantage of their own power play opportunities. Vladislav Namestnikov was the only player to find the net for the Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy had a terrific performance with 36 saves (.947%) in the loss.

Detroit (13-11-7) lost for the sixth straight game, falling 4-3 (OT) to the Capitals on Monday. Oskar Sundqvist, Lucas Raymond, and David Perron each scored once for the Red Wings. Ville Husso only had 38 saves on 42 shots against (.904%) in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Red Wings won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 4-2 victory on December 6. Andrew Copp and Filip Hronek each had two points (0G 2A) to lead Detroit. Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos were on the scoresheet for Tampa Bay. Husso got the win, saving 44 of 46 shots (.956%).

FACING OFF

Tampa Bay is averaging 3.58 goals per game for the season, third in the NHL, and they are taking on a Red Wings team that is allowing 3.19 goals a game (17th). Meanwhile, Detroit has found the net 2.90 times a game on average, 25th in the league, and the Lightning are allowing opponents to score 2.87 goals per game (14th).

Detroit averages fewer shots a game (29.1) than most teams in the league, ranking 29th. With an average of 31.2 attempts, Tampa Bay ranks 17th.

The Lightning’s 27.19% power play percentage is the fifth-best in the league, while the Red Wings rank 22nd with a conversion rate of 20.18%. When it comes to penalty killing, Tampa Bay has the league’s 11th-ranked PK% at 80.39%, while Detroit is 18th at 77.17%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 47 points this season, fifth-most in the NHL, Nikita Kucherov is the top skater for the Lightning. He is among the league leaders with 35 assists (2nd) and has added 12 goals of his own. In the net, Vasilevskiy (13-8-1) is Tampa Bay’s top goaltender. He has a 2.55 GAA and a .915% save percentage.

Dylan Larkin and Dominik Kubalik lead the Red Wings in scoring with 28 and 26 points, respectively. Larkin has 10 goals and 18 assists in 30 games, while Kubalik has 10 goals and 16 assists. Husso (11-6-5) has the best goals against average for Detroit at 2.66. He has a save percentage of .913%.

HOME AND AWAY

Tampa Bay is 8-6-0 away from home this season. Detroit has lost five in a row at home this season. Meanwhile, the Lightning are 2-2 without a day off and 2-2 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Red Wings are 0-1 with a rest advantage.