Welcome to NHL Predictions here at Last Word on Hockey! Each day, we examine upcoming games, providing predictions and analyzing head-to-head matchups. In today’s prediction article, the Boston Bruins will come to Little Caesars Arena on Saturday to face the Detroit Red Wings. Both teams have experienced struggles as of late; Boston recently fired their head coach Jim Montgomery, and the Red Wings have lost three of their last four games. Both teams come into the matchup needing points to keep themselves in the playoff hunt. Let’s take a look at this must-win game. Be sure to check out all of our predictions throughout the 2024-25 season!
NHL Predictions
Boston Bruins vs Detroit Red Wings
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST); 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST)
The Teams
Boston currently sports a 9-9-3 record, having secured 21 points in 21 games. As of this morning, they sit ninth in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Most recently, the Bruins are coming off a 1-0 win against the Utah Hockey Club.
The Red Wings are just under .500 with an 8-9-2 record and 18 points in 19 games. After a three-game losing streak in California, in which they secured just one point, they finally got back in the win column Thursday versus the Islanders thanks to a last-minute goal from Lucas Raymond.
Red Wings’ Power Play Will Be Key
While they struggle to score 5v5 (their 5v5 goals/60 is second to last in the league), the Red Wings power play has been one of the few bright spots for their season. At 30.2 percent, they sit fifth in the league. On the flip side, Boston’s special teams have struggled. Their power play is last in the league at just 11.2 percent and their penalty kill rates just 22nd. If Detroit can get opportunities on the man advantage, expect them to strike.
Goaltending Could Be a Major Factor
After missing training camp and preseason with a contract dispute, the normally steady Jeremy Swayman has struggled to start the season, sporting just an .884 save percentage. On the flip side, likely start Cam Talbot has been a top 10 netminder all season with a .920 SV%. Thankfully for Boston, the Red Wings are one of the worst teams in the league when it comes to shots on net, ranking second to last with just over 25 per game. If the Bruins can limit Detroit’s shots, they’ll have a good chance at coming out with a win they must have.
NHL Predictions
Expect a low scoring game. Detroit is likely to add a power play goal, and with Cam Talbot’s recent success, he should be able to keep Boston at two goals or less. With both teams struggling offensively, a low event, tight game is the likely outcome.
Prediction: Red Wings win 2-1
Main Photo: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images
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