Detroit Red Wings vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, 12/16/2021 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Detroit Red Wings vs Carolina Hurricanes

Date: Thursday, December 16, 2021

Location: PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC

TV: Bally Sports South

Alex Nedeljkovic and the Detroit Red Wings (14-12-3) are headed to PNC Arena on Thursday where they'll meet the Carolina Hurricanes (19-7-1).

The Detroit Red Wings went home feeling good about their game by earning a 2-1 victory against the Islanders in their previous contest. Detroit accounted for 6 penalty minutes in this matchup. Additionally, they had 3 power play attempts and were able to net 1 goal. The Red Wings left a lot to be desired in terms of their offense in this win. In the outing, they tallied a score on 2 of the 39 shots they put on goal.

The Red Wings have had 971 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .900. While playing at even strength, the Red Wings let the opposition score 78 goals while earning 66 when they are on offense. Detroit Red Wings opponents have totaled 82 power play tries (15th in hockey) and have notched 19 goals in those chances. For the current campaign, they have recorded 31 points and their points percentage is .534. Detroit has attempted 849 shots and has a shooting percentage of 9.3%. In the matter of their scoring capabilities, the Detroit Red Wings have notched 79 goals (19th in the league) on the year and have allowed 97. Detroit comes into the game with 77 power play opportunities and they have notched 13 goals out of those tries, giving them a percentage of 16.88%.

The player protecting the goal in this game is Alex Nedeljkovic. For his professional hockey career, Nedeljkovic has accrued 27 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .614. He has a save percentage of .924 for his 2,804 minutes in the crease. Nedeljkovic has seen 1,401 shots against him and has gathered 1,294 total saves. The opposition has been able to score 107 goals versus Nedeljkovic in his pro hockey career and his goals against average is 2.29. He has earned a win-loss record of 26-13-7 and he started in 44 games. Nedeljkovic has been in net for 49 games over the course of his pro hockey career.

In their last contest, Carolina played the Canucks in a matchup where the Hurricanes ended up taking the loss by a final of 2-1. They had 1 attempt on the power play in this one but weren't able to notch a goal. The Hurricanes recorded 1 goal of the 29 shots on goal they attempted.

The Hurricanes are sitting with 68 goals at even strength and 17 goals (14th in professional hockey) while on the power play. Carolina has taken 890 shots (12th in the NHL) and has earned a shooting percentage of 9.55%, while allowing the other team 728 shots. Over the course of the season, the Carolina Hurricanes have accounted for 85 goals, 39 points, in addition to a points percentage of .722. They have earned 83 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 20.48%. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 88.00% on the other teams 100 power play opportunities, and their save percentage sits at 92.0%. They have granted a total of 58 goals to be scored by of a combination of 46 goals at even strength and 12 goals while they had less men on the ice.

Across the rink you are going to see Frederik Andersen protecting the goal. Andersen has amassed a lifetime record of 240-105-48 and has participated in 412 games. Andersen's quality start percentage comes out to 57.3% and he has accumulated 229 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He has gathered 11,251 stops out of 12,284 shots taken, giving him a percentage of .916. The opposition is averaging 2.61 goals/game and he has surrendered 1,033 goals overall. He has started in 400 contests and has been on the ice for 23,723 minutes.

Who will win tonight's hockey game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Carolina

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