The Arizona Coyotes face the Detroit Red Wings with both teams on opposite ends of the standing to start the season. The Coyotes have a 7-9-2 record which is the second-worst in the Central Division while the Red Wings have a 10-5-4 record and with three wins in a row, they boast the third-best record in the Atlantic Division. Both teams are looking to build off recent wins and the upcoming game looks to be a good one as a result.
Coyotes defense has let them down this year
The Coyotes are having a rough season with their offense struggling and scoring only 2.67 goals per game with only 11 goals in the last five games. Clayton Keller, Lawson Crouse, and Matias Maccelli have scored 17 goals and 24 assists while defensemen Shayne Gostisbehere and J.J. Moser have added five goals and 18 assists from the point but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only three skaters have scored five goals or more while only five skaters have added seven assists or more and opposing defenses can eliminate the hapless offense as a result.
The offense has struggled but the defense has let them down, allowing 3.39 goals per game. J.J. Moser and Juuso Valimaki have combined for 1.7 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has been awful, allowing open shots on the net at will. The bright spot has been the play of goaltender Karel Vejmelka who has a .916 save percentage and a 2.98 goals-against average on 452 shots.
Red Wings hope defense improves
The Red Wings have looked promising this season behind an offense that is scoring 3.26 goals per game with 16 goals in the last three games. Dylan Larkin and Dominik Kubalik have scored 18 goals and 26 assists to lead the top line but the rest of the offense has also stepped up. David Perron, Lucas Raymond, and Andrew Copp have combined for 13 goals and 25 assists while defensemen Filip Hronek and Moritz Seider have added six goals and 18 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has looked great but the defense has struggled, allowing 3.00 goals per game. Filip Hronek and Olli Maatta have combined for 2.8 defensive point shares and 53 blocked shots but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to carry the puck into the offensive zone and find open shots on the net. The bright spot has been the play of goaltender Ville Husso who has a .922 save percentage and a 2.36 goals-against average on 395 shots.
Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
The Red Wings look like a promising team this year but I like the Coyotes to build off a strong win and control this game from the opening puck drop. The Coyotes should constantly find the back of the net with Clayton Keller, Lawson Crouse, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with great puck movement. The Coyotes also look to build off a recent shutout and limit the Red Wings' offense with J.J. Moser and Juuso Valimaki creating turnovers at the blue line and limiting shots on the net while Karel Vajmelka blanks shots on the net. The Coyotes should win the game and provide great odds in the process as road Underdogs.
Take the Coyotes money line as road Underdogs.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
With both defenses playing poorly, I see this game being a high-scoring one with both offenses stepping up and constantly finding the back of the net. The Red Wings, who average 3.26 goals per game, should pile on the goals against a Coyotes defense that allows 3.39 goals per game, with Dylan Larkin, Dominik Kubalik, and the rest of the forward unit establishing a strong offensive zone presence and creating open shots with great puck movement. The Coyotes look to build off a four-goal game and run up the score against a Red Wings defense that is allowing 3.00 goals per game with Clayton Keller, Lawson Crouse, Matias Maccelli, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the rush and creating open shots with great puck movement while Shayne Gostisbehere and J.J. Moser pick apart the Red Wings from the point. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.
Take the Over on 6.5 goals.