The Detroit Red Wings will host the Dallas Stars on Monday night at 7:00 p.m. EST in Little Caesars Arena, as both teams find themselves in contrasting situations as the regular season nears its end. The Stars, already locked into the #2 seed in the Central Division with 106 points through 80 games, are looking to snap a five-game losing streak, while the Red Wings, eliminated from playoff contention, are playing for pride as they sit with 81 points through 79 games.
Dallas, despite their recent struggles, remains a formidable opponent. They currently rank third in the league with an average of 3.38 goals per game and boast the seventh-best face-off percentage at 52%. Their power play operates at a 22.8% success rate, putting them in 16th place overall. The Stars are also strong defensively, allowing only 2.64 goals per game, ranking them sixth in the league.
Key players for Dallas include Matt Duchene, who leads the team with 81 points, including 51 assists, and Jason Robertson, who has a team-high 35 goals. Roope Hintz stands out with a +20 plus/minus rating, while goaltender Jake Oettinger, with a 2.48 goals-against average (GAA) and a 91.2% save percentage, is expected to start. However, Dallas will be without Miro Heiskanen and Nils Lundkvist due to injuries, and several players, including Tyler Seguin and Esa Lindell, are listed as day-to-day.
In their last matchup, the Stars fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 5-3. Mikko Rantanen contributed with a pair of assists, but the team struggled to find their rhythm, with Casey DeSmith making 29 saves but ultimately unable to secure a victory. The Stars are favored at a -130 money line, reflecting their overall talent despite recent setbacks.
On the other hand, the Detroit Red Wings are coming off a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning, a game that showcased their resilience. Marco Kasper netted two goals, while veteran Patrick Kane added a goal and an assist. Lucas Raymond leads the team with 75 points, including 49 assists, and Alex DeBrincat has been the primary goal-scorer with 36 goals this season.
Despite their elimination from playoff contention, the Red Wings have shown signs of improvement, going 5-4-1 in their last ten games. They rank fourth in the NHL on the power play with a 27.2% success rate but struggle in other areas, such as scoring, where they sit 24th in the league with an average of 2.80 goals per game.
Detroit's defense has also faced challenges, allowing 3.15 goals per game, placing them 21st in the league. Their penalty kill is the worst in the NHL, operating at a dismal 69.5%. Goaltending has been a mixed bag, with Cam Talbot leading the way with a 2.88 GAA and a 90.4% save percentage, but he has faced competition from Alex Lyon and Ville Husso.
In terms of injuries, the Red Wings will be missing Andrew Copp, who is out for the season after undergoing surgery, along with Carter Mazur and Erik Gustafsson, who are also sidelined. Elmer Soderblom is day-to-day and may not participate in the game.
As the game approaches, the stakes are clear for both teams. The Stars need to regain their momentum heading into the playoffs, while the Red Wings aim to finish the season on a high note, showcasing their young talent and building for the future. With both teams having something to prove, fans can expect an exciting matchup in Detroit.
Betting insights suggest that the Stars, despite their recent struggles, are likely to emerge victorious against the Red Wings, who are seen as the underdogs in this matchup. The total for the game is set at 6 goals, and analysts believe that both teams may struggle defensively given their current situations.
In their last ten meetings, the two squads have combined to hit the over in seven of those games, indicating a potential for high-scoring action. With both teams focused on avoiding injuries as they conclude their seasons, the intensity may be lower, but the offensive opportunities could still be plentiful.
As the puck drops in Little Caesars Arena, all eyes will be on how the Dallas Stars can respond to their losing streak and whether the Detroit Red Wings can continue their recent success, making for a compelling narrative as the NHL season winds down.
