Detroit Red Wings vs Tampa Bay Lightning Picks and Predictions January 25th 2025

Detroit Red Wings vs Tampa Bay Lightning January 25th 2025

Making on a bet on this NHL game featuring the Lightning versus the Red Wings? The puck drops at 7:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI. The Lightning are the -1.5 goal favorites in this Atlantic division matchup against the Red Wings. The over/under for the game is set at 6.5 goals.

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Tampa Bay vs. Detroit Key Information

• Teams: Lightning at Red Wings
• Where: Little Caesars Arena Detroit
• Date: Saturday, January 25th
• Betting Odds TB -136 | DET +116 O/U 6.5

The Lightning Can Win If…

Tampa Bay dropped to 26-18-3 after a 7-4 loss to the Jets. The Lightning, underdogs on the puck line, couldn’t cover, and the total of 11 goals easily surpassed the 6.5-goal line.

The Lightning led 2-0 early, but the Jets responded with seven of the next nine goals. Four different players scored for Tampa Bay in the loss.

Tampa Bay’s offense put 30 shots on goal in their 7-4 loss to the Jets. Brandon Hagel opened the scoring with his 7th goal of the season, while Brayden Point added his 8th on a power play. Mitchell Chaffee netted his 4th goal, and Nikita Kucherov scored for the 10th time this season.

The Lightning scored twice in the first period, once in the second, and tied the game 4-4 in the third period before the Jets pulled ahead. Tampa Bay recorded 8 giveaways and finished with 4 assists.

Tampa Bay’s defense struggled in their previous game, allowing seven goals on 32 shots from the Jets. Goalie Jonas Johansson made 27 saves but finished with an 84.4% save percentage. The Lightning’s defense had 6 takeaways and 16 hits, but they gave up the final three goals, including two empty-netters.

• Over their last three regular season games, the Lightning have gone 1-2 straight up. This includes going 0-3 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Tampa Bay has put together a record of 6-4 in their last ten games (regular season). In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 5-5 and an over-under mark of 5-4-1.

The Red Wings Can Win If…

With a 2-1 win over the Sabres, the Red Wings moved above .500 to 22-21-5. Detroit, favored by -1.5 goals, didn’t cover the puck line. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined 3 goals fell short of that mark.

Detroit trailed early, as the Sabres scored in the first period. The Red Wings responded with two goals in the second, both by Dylan Larkin, to secure the win.

Detroit’s offense managed 23 shots on goal but only found the net twice in their 2-1 win over Buffalo. Dylan Larkin scored both goals, bringing his season total to 6 and 7. Larkin took 4 shots on goal in the game.

Both of Detroit’s goals came on power plays in the second period. The Red Wings had 15 giveaways and were held scoreless in the first and third periods.

Detroit’s defense gave up the first goal at 11:39 in the first period, but they shut down Buffalo after that, leading to a 2-1 win. Cam Talbot made 31 saves with a 96.9% save percentage, and the defense added 4 takeaways and 11 hits.

• Over their last three regular season games, the Red Wings have gone 1-2 straight up. Across this span, their puck line record sits at 2-1 to go along with an over-under mark of 0-2-1.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Red Wings have gone 6-4 straight up. This includes going 7-3 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 5-3-2.

The Lean

If you’re looking for a moneyline pick, my choice is the Lightning to take down the Red Wings on the road. With the moneyline currently at -136, I’m placing my bet on the Lightning straight-up.

If you’re looking for my recommendation on the puck line, I suggest taking the Red Wings to cover. Even if the Lightning manage to win outright, this game is expected to remain competitive, and the Red Wings should cover the puck line.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 6.5 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

Daily NHL Picks & Predictions

Streaky Red Wings Host Lightning: Can Detroit Reel Off Back-to-Back Wins?

The Detroit Red Wings are in desperate need of consistency as they aim to reignite their playoff hopes. After a commanding 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, Detroit will look to extend their momentum on Saturday night when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning in a pivotal Eastern Conference matchup.

With 49 points, the Red Wings remain four points shy of the second wild-card spot in the East. However, the road ahead is daunting as they must leapfrog five teams to secure their place in the playoff race. Saturday’s clash against the Lightning, a team with postseason pedigree, could serve as a crucial measuring stick for Detroit’s progress.

Red Wings Look to Build Under Todd McLellan

The Red Wings have shown flashes of brilliance since Todd McLellan took over as head coach in late December. A seven-game winning streak shortly after his arrival gave the team a much-needed boost, but inconsistency has been their Achilles’ heel. A 1-3-1 slump before Thursday’s win highlighted the challenges McLellan faces in turning Detroit into a playoff contender.

Thursday’s performance against Montreal was a promising step forward. Detroit came out aggressive, scoring two first-period goals and dominating the Canadiens with a 17-4 shot advantage. The win was particularly satisfying as Montreal had swept a pair of December meetings that ultimately led to the dismissal of former coach Derek Lalonde.

“I liked our start. I thought everybody got into the game,” McLellan said. “We were aggressive, we looked fast. We wanted to see if we’ve made progress, and I think tonight we did.”

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Key Players Driving Detroit’s Surge

Captain Dylan Larkin has been a cornerstone of the Red Wings’ success. In his 700th career game on Thursday, he recorded a power-play goal and an assist, showcasing his leadership on and off the ice.

“Huge win for us and a memorable night for myself,” Larkin said. “I think it’s going to be memorable the way we played, and hopefully we can build off it.”

Defenseman Moritz Seider echoed Larkin’s optimism, emphasizing the team’s need for a “shoot-first mentality.”

“We can skate with anybody,” Seider said. “We’ve got to focus on getting pucks to the net and grinding out their defense. That’s something we can do over and over again.”

Detroit registered a season-high 45 shots on goal against Montreal—a testament to their offensive potential when they stick to an aggressive game plan.

Tampa Bay Brings Momentum—and Nikita Kucherov

The Lightning enter Saturday’s matchup fresh off a dramatic 4-3 overtime win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night. Nikita Kucherov sealed the victory with a power-play goal just 58 seconds into overtime, extending his point streak to 11 games. During this span, Kucherov has tallied six goals and 13 assists, cementing his status as one of the league’s most dangerous players.

“You just never know in this league,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said after Friday’s win. “It’s so hard to win. The boys were driven, especially after back-to-back losses. You can’t quit. You’ve just got to keep going.”

Tampa Bay also showcased resilience in the win, taking advantage of two late penalties by Chicago to force overtime. Jake Guentzel contributed a goal and two assists, continuing his strong play against the Red Wings—he posted identical numbers in Tampa Bay’s 5-1 victory over Detroit last Saturday.

What to Watch: Keys to the Game

1. Detroit’s Fast Starts
The Red Wings set the tone early against Montreal with their high-energy play. A similar start will be crucial against a Tampa Bay team that thrives on capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes. Detroit’s forecheck and ability to control the neutral zone will likely dictate the pace.

2. Containing Nikita Kucherov
Kucherov’s 11-game point streak poses a significant challenge for Detroit’s defense. The Red Wings will need a disciplined, physical approach to limit his time and space, particularly on the power play, where Tampa Bay excels.

3. Special Teams Battle
Detroit’s power play, ranked 20th in the NHL, will need to capitalize on opportunities against Tampa Bay’s penalty kill, which sits in the middle of the league rankings. Conversely, the Lightning’s top-tier power play could exploit any lapses in Detroit’s defensive structure.

Playoff Implications for Both Teams

For Detroit, Saturday’s game is another chance to prove they belong in the playoff conversation. With a challenging schedule ahead, every point matters. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is looking to solidify its playoff position and avoid slipping in the Atlantic Division standings.

This game also serves as a potential playoff preview. The Red Wings and Lightning will face each other four times this season, and a strong performance by Detroit could set the tone for future meetings.

Predictions and Final Thoughts

The Red Wings have momentum on their side, but Tampa Bay’s depth and experience make them a formidable opponent. For Detroit to succeed, they must replicate Thursday’s intensity, get strong goaltending, and win the special teams battle.

As for Tampa Bay, their ability to recover quickly from Friday night’s overtime game will be crucial. Look for Kucherov to continue his offensive dominance, but don’t count out the Red Wings’ youthful energy and hunger.

Will Detroit rise to the occasion, or will Tampa Bay’s firepower prove too much to handle? All eyes will be on Little Caesars Arena as these two teams collide in a high-stakes showdown.