Best NHL Prop Bets Today: Red Wings Continue to Underwhelm on Defense

With Detroit’s defense struggling mightily in coverage, the Carolina Hurricanes are in a great position to light up the scoreboard as their front line should see an uptick in their volume of shot attempts. Shortly after their puck drop, we target a team total under in the matchup between Colorado and Calgary as the Flames rank 23rd overall in Expected Goals For in All Situations.

Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Get up to $1,500 back in the form of bonus bets should you lose your first wager after creating an account with the WSN promo code WSNSPORTS.

Detroit Red Wings vs. Carolina Hurricanes - Prop Bets (7:00 PM, EST)

Carolina Hurricanes Team Total Over 3.5 (-109) at BetRivers Sportsbook

After losing their last six games in a row, the Detroit Red Wings have managed to break out of their slump and halt their fall down the Eastern Conference wildcard standings by securing the win over the Buffalo Sabres. Even in their win, the Red Wings defense severely underperformed as they allowed the Sabres front line to generate over 2.50 Expected Goals. Fortunately for Detroit, their offense was able to set a scoring pace too fast for Buffalo to keep up with as they went on to win the contest 7-3.

The Red Wings will not be able to solely rely on their offense against Carolina as the Hurricanes front line are capable of scoring goals at a blistering fast rate. Even after trading away Mikko Rantenan to the Dallas Stars, the Hurricanes have been able to sustain their high level of play as their offense still leads the league in Expected Goals For in All Situations. The newly acquired Logan Stankoven has been able to recoup some of Rantenan’s loss of production as the rookie averages 0.27 Expected Goals per game.

Especially if Cam Talbot gets the start in net as the Red Wings goalie has struggled to play at a competitive level this season. In his starts, Talbot is averaging 2.96 Goals Against per game and a .901 Save Percentage. While his Save Percentage signals positive regression is looming large, the lack of coverage from his back line wards off the regression as opposing offenses are generating a high volume of shots at his net. Should Alex Lyon get the start instead, then reduce the size of your wager.

Up to $500 in Bonus Bet at BetRivers

Vladimir Tarasenko Under 1.5 Shots on Goal (-130) at BetMGM Sportsbook

On the other side of the ice, Florida’s back line has started to round back into dominant form as the Panthers defense currently ranks fifth overall in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Their suffocating coverage will make it tough for Vladimir Tarasenko to turn his shot attempts from the blue line into Shots on Goal as the Red Wings defenseman will have to weave the puck through a wall of bodies. Barring a broken play in transition, expect Tarasenko to be held to a minimal amount of shot attempts.

Claim $1,500 in Bonus Bets at BetMGM

Colorado Avalanche vs. Calgary Flames - Prop Bets (9:00 PM, EST)

Calgary Flames Team Total Under 2.5 (-118) at BetMGM Sportsbook

After struggling to play at a competitive level earlier in the year, Colorado’s back line has recently hit their stride as the Avs defense currently ranks second overall in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. The acquisition of Mackenzie Blackwood has played a major role in their turnaround as the former San Jose goalie has helped limit the amount of variance in their contests with his own high level of play in net.

Against Calgary, Blackwood will have a great opportunity to string together a dominant performance as he faces off against a Flames offense who ranks 23rd overall in Expected Goals For in All Situations. Their inability to create high quality scoring opportunities will allow Blackwood to anchor down in coverage, lessening the possibility of a gap opening up for Calgary to exploit. Factor in the Avs back line excelling at smothering opposing shot attempts and the Flames will struggle to clear the over on their team total.

$1,500 First Bet with Code WSNSPORTS at BetMGM

Nathan MacKinnon Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (-130) at BetMGM Sportsbook

Since the start of the regular season, Nathan MacKinnon has been aggressive in his efforts of pressuring the net as the reigning Hart Memorial Trophy winner averages 0.39 Expected Goals and 4.06 Shots on Goal per game. That spells potential disaster for Calgary as the Flames rank 21st in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Expect MacKinnon to consistently exploit the Flames gaps in coverage when blitzing through their back line, increasing the probability of his shot attempts turning into Shots on Goal.

Claim $1,500 in Bonus Bets at BetMGM