Boston Bruins vs Detroit Red Wings Prediction, 12/31/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Boston Bruins vs Detroit Red Wings

Date: Sunday, December 31, 2023

Location: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI

TV: Bally Sports Detroit

Little Caesars Arena is where the Detroit Red Wings (16-15-4) will try to beat the Boston Bruins (20-7-6) on Sunday.

The Boston Bruins were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 4-1 win over the Sabres in their previous outing. Boston compiled 12 mins in the box in this matchup. Additionally, they had 4 opportunities with more players on the ice and notched 3 goals. The Bruins had a solid offensive performance and it showed in this win. In the matchup, they converted 4 out of the 25 shots they attempted.

While at even strength, the Bruins have given up 69 goals while earning 75 themselves. Boston Bruins opponents have totaled 126 power play opportunities (2nd in professional hockey) and have scored 17 goals in those attempts. In reference to their goal scoring prowess, the Boston Bruins have earned 102 goals (22nd in the National Hockey League) on the campaign and have allowed 86. Boston has tried 1,018 shots and holds a shot percentage of 10.0%. For the current season, they have tallied 46 points and their points percentage is .697. The Bruins thus far have had 1,061 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .919. Boston has accounted for 102 power play chances and they have scored 27 goals during those advantages, giving them a percentage of 26.47%.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Linus Ullmark. The opposition has been able to score 543 goals against Ullmark in his professional hockey career and his goals against average per contest is 2.53. Ullmark has been involved in 224 games during his pro hockey career. He has a save percentage of .919 for his 12,891 minutes guarding the cage. He has earned an overall record of 126-68-18 and was named the starter in 215 games. Over the course of his pro career, Ullmark has tallied 137 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .637. Ullmark has had 6,671 shot attempts against him and he has 6,128 total saves.

In their last outing, Detroit faced the Wild in an outing where the Red Wings ended up taking the loss by a final score of 6-3. They had 2 power play opportunities in this outing and converted 1 out of those opportunities. The Red Wings recorded 3 goals of the 28 shots on goal they were seeking.

The Red Wings have 92 goals at even strength and 31 goals (5th in hockey) while on the power play. Detroit has taken 1,053 shots (14th in pro hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 11.68%, while allowing the other team 1,124 shots. For the season, the Detroit Red Wings have earned a total of 123 goals, 36 points, and a points percentage of .514. They have permitted 119 goals to be scored by way of 94 goals at even strength and 25 goals while they were shorthanded. They have earned 141 power play chances and they have a power play percentage of 21.99%. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 79.84% on the other teams 124 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 89.4%.

For the opposition you will find Alex Lyon patrolling the crease. Lyon is the owner of a career mark of 20-14-5 and has participated in 46 contests. Lyon's quality start percentage sits at 55.3% and he has made 21 quality starts in his NHL career. He has tallied 1,133 stops out of 1,249 shots taken, giving him a save percentage of .907. His opponents are averaging 2.91 goals per game and he has surrendered 116 goals overall. He has made the start in 38 contests and has played for a total of 2,391 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Detroit

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