Devils vs Red Wings Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Hughes & Co. Lead the Way

Both the New Jersey Devils and the Detroit Red Wings will try for their first victory of 2023 when they meet at Little Caesars Arena tonight. 

The Devils dropped their latest tilt with the Hurricanes on New Year’s Day, losing 5-4 via shootout. The Red Wings have yet to suit up in this calendar year but closed out 2022 by winning three of their last four, including a 4-2 triumph over the Senators on New Year’s Eve. 

Can the free-falling Devils climb out of their rut as road favorites? Find out in our free NHL picks and predictions for Devils vs Red Wings on Wednesday, January 4.

Devils vs Red Wings best odds

Devils vs Red Wings picks and predictions

The Devils’ last two games have offered their fans a glimmer of light at the end of what’s been a dark tunnel of late. While New Jersey’s moneyline price is too steep to recommend as the strongest wager on this game, there’s little doubt that its offense will fire on all cylinders against the Red Wings, so let’s take the Over on their team total at plus money.

The Devils are 2-7-2 in their last 11 overall, but 1-0-1 in their last two with eight total goals. They beat the Penguins in regulation on Dec. 30 before settling for a shootout loss to Carolina. 

New Jersey’s three leading points-getters — Jack Hughes (42), Jesper Bratt (37), and Nico Hischier (34) — have been instrumental in their team’s recently-improved run. Hughes, who still managed 15 points despite his club’s overall shortcomings in December, has three goals over his last two tilts. The former No. 1 overall draft pick has at least one goal in 11 of his last 17 overall, making his goal-scoring prop at +140 on the Over a tempting side to sprinkle something on — or add to a same-game parlay.

Bratt had a three-point game (two goals, one assist) against the Canes when last seen, and added a helper against Pittsburgh. After falling from 15 points in October to 11 in November to a mere eight in December, the Devils hope this version of Bratt is here to stay in January. 

Hischier has pointed in four straight games and has a goal in three consecutive contests.

New Jersey isn’t a typical road team as it scores far more away from its own building (3.81 goals per game) than it does in it (3.00). Meanwhile, Detroit’s net has looked like a coal bin over its last six games, as the Wings have surrendered 26 goals in that span (4.33 per game). 

My best bet: Devils team total Over 3.5 (+108 at FanDuel)

Devils vs Red Wings moneyline analysis

The Devils may not be offering great value per se, but there’s zero value to be had in a losing ticket. 

Not only are the Red Wings the inferior team when it comes to scoring (3.4 goals per game for the Devils, ninth in the NHL, vs. Detroit's 3.1, which ranks 19th), but they also appear to be up against it from a goals-allowed perspective. New Jersey is third in the league in GAA (2.6 per game), and second in shots allowed (27.2). Not only do they have solid defensemen like Dougie Hamilton and Ryan Graves patrolling the blue line, but they also boast the better goalie with Vitek Vanecek scheduled to face Ville Husso.

Vanecek has stopped 54 of the last 58 shots he’s seen, posting a sub-2.00 GAA in that span. His current 2.38 GAA and .911 save percentage on the season are both career-bests. Husso — who is in line to return from a non-COVID illness in this spot — realized a significant dip in form as December waned. He posted a 4.98 GAA and a .857 SV% in his last four appearances. 

Trend bettors should note that the Devils are 13-3 in their last 16 road games, while the Red Wings are 7-20 in their last 27 games after allowing two or fewer goals in their previous tilt.

Devils vs Red Wings Over/Under analysis

Detroit’s best chance at winning might be to cast caution to the wind and try to rack up the goals with a constant barrage of shots. It’s been working in recent games.

The Red Wings have scored 19 goals over their last four contests, going 3-1 straight up and 3-1 to the Over. While usual suspects Dylan Larkin, David Perron, and Lucas Raymond have done their fair share in this stretch — scoring four points apiece — Detroit has received some much-needed secondary scoring as well.

Elmer Soderblom and Michael Rasmussen have stepped up their game of late. Soderblom returned from injury on Dec. 14 and has hit the scoresheet once in each of his last six contests (three goals, three assists). Rasmussen had a four-point game (two goals, two assists) against the Lightning on Dec. 21, and followed it up with two more points in a three-game span heading into Wednesday’s contest.

These teams have gone above the listed total of 6.5 goals in four of their last five meetings, including both of their matchups back in October. Larkin, Bratt, and Hamilton each have four points for their respective clubs in those two most recent head-to-head affairs. 

Devils vs Red Wings betting trend to know

The Red Wings are 11-23 in their last 34 games following a win. Find more NHL betting trends for Devils vs Red Wings.

Devils vs Red Wings game info

Devils vs Red Wings key injuries

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