Dylan Larkin and Sebastian Aho look to lead productive night in a high-scoring contest between two red hot squads
The Red Wings started off the season with a blazing start but staggered through most of the holiday season with a 3-9-1 record in their last 13 games of the year. They were really bad with their backend being bottom of the league in goals against averaging the most in the league with an 4.38 average. Then they made their New Year's resolution to not give up as many goals and they’ve been sticking to it with a complete turnaround in 2024 with a 6-0-1 record and the 11th-best goals against average bringing it all the way down to 2.57 in their small seven game sample size.
Carolina has started to turn things around too with a 4-5-4 stretch through early December into Christmas. Since then, they’ve gone on a 13-6-5 run with their backend playing like one of the best in the league with the ninth-fewest goals allowed during their hot stretch with a 2.67 average.
Both teams are red hot going into this one and should make for an exciting Friday night matchup to end your week. If you are looking to get in on this action and enhance your viewing experience, here is our best bet for tonight’s matchup.
All betting lines are from Bet365 and are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.
Pick: Over 6.5 goals (-105)
The Canes have been hot on offense averaging over four goals per game in their last nine and demolishing top defenses in the Rangers, Capitals and Penguins, who are all ranked in the top ten in fewest goals allowed per game this season. They catch another hot backend in the Red Wings, who will look to stop Sebastian Aho as he’s been red hot in their dominant nine game stretch with 15 assists and 17 points during that span that ranks sixth in the league.
Carolina will have a Wing to focus on as well with Captain Dylan Larkin playing at another level like Aho. Since the Wings started their 2024 run, Larkin has five goals and eight points in their seven games with four goals in his last three games and will look to make it four games in a row with a goal that would be his longest scoring streak since mid-Febuary of last season and will mark for his fourth four game goal streak of his career. Both offenses should get on the board and get this game over easily with the two stars playing key roles.