Saturday features a loaded twelve game NHL slate. There is a lot to breakdown to find the best NHL bets on this slate, but the Ottawa Senators vs. Detroit Red Wings game has some particularly interesting betting spots. Our OddsShopper tool has even more NHL picks, predictions and odds, so be sure to check it out if you’re looking for more hockey action on New Year’s Eve.
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NHL Bets: Best NHL Bets for Senators-Red Wings
Senators-Red Wings prediction
The Red Wings are currently in 7th place in the Atlantic Division, but it’s still early enough for this game to mean a lot for the team’s hopes. Nevertheless, they shouldn’t be favored against the 4th place Ottawa Senators with goaltender Ville Husso expected to miss the game.
In Husso’s absence, Alex Nedeljkovic is slated to get the start for the Red Wings. Nedeljkovic is 2-4-2 with a .880 save percentage (SV%) and 4.09 goals against average (GAA) through nine appearances in the crease this year, Based on those metrics, it is unlikely that Detroit’s netminder will see any positive regression.
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Nedeljkovic would rank dead-last among starting goaltenders in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5-on-5, if he played enough to qualify. This poor play in net should continue against Detroit. In his lone career start against the Red Wings, Nedeljkovic surrendered four goals on 31 shots for a troubling .871 SV% in route to a 5-2 loss.
In front of Nedeljkovic is a defense that ranks in the bottom half of the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5-on-5. This poor combination of defense and goaltending should continue struggle against the Sens.
Ottawa ranks ninth in the league at 5-on-5 in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60). In fact, the Senators rank higher than Detroit in both xGA/60 and xGF/60 at 5-on-5. They also boast the goaltending advantage as Cam Talbot is slated to take the crease. While Talbot is primed for regression, his metrics far outweigh Nedeljkovic’s.
In what should be a fast-paced, high-scoring affair, back the Senators to win a game that will likely feature plenty of goals. It is definitely one of the strongest NHL picks on this New Year’s Eve slate. And if you are looking for even more sports to make things interesting before the ball drops, you can find some of the sharpest prop bets on tonight’s NBA slate by using our NBA Bet Pro tool.
Final Senators-Red Wings Prediction & Pick: Senators ML & Over 6.5 (+100 & -120, DraftKings)
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