Detroit Red Wings vs Utah Hockey Club Picks and Predictions March 6th 2025

Red Wings Look to Break Skid, Battle Utah Hockey Club

The Detroit Red Wings had an opportunity to create separation in the Eastern Conference wild-card race, but after three consecutive losses, they must regroup quickly to keep their playoff hopes alive. Detroit will look to get back on track when it hosts Utah on Thursday night.

Red Wings in Urgent Need of a Turnaround

Detroit’s recent struggles include back-to-back losses to Columbus before a 2-1 home defeat against Carolina on Tuesday. The Red Wings were outshot 30-25 and lost 29 of 48 faceoffs in that game.

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“We had a tough time skating, so it was really hard for us to make plays,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said. “We looked like we were in mud. We couldn’t separate real well and then we got hemmed in our zone. A lot of our time and our energy was spent defending, and when we finally got the puck, we had no legs to go the other way.”

McLellan attempted to shake things up by adjusting his lines, moving 6-foot-8 forward Elmer Soderblom to the first line alongside Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin. The move paid off as Soderblom scored Detroit’s lone goal. Meanwhile, rookie Marco Kasper transitioned from wing back to his natural center position.

Detroit will need more from its top players to keep its playoff push alive, particularly Larkin and Raymond, who have both been held without a point in the last four games.

“Two great players to play with,” Soderblom said of his linemates. “They create space for you and give you more time. It’s super fun to have that chance.”

Utah’s Defensive Strength

Utah has been stout defensively, allowing just six goals over its last four games. The team had a three-game winning streak snapped by New Jersey on Saturday, falling 3-1 after conceding two goals in the third period.

“Obviously, they’re a great team,” Utah’s Mikhail Sergachev said. “They’re pretty fast, too. So it was like two fast teams out there. They just scored more than we did.”

Clayton Keller had his six-game point streak snapped in that loss, after posting four goals and eight assists in that span.

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Thursday’s game will also mark the first time veteran defenseman Olli Maatta faces his former team since being traded from Detroit earlier this season. Maatta recently signed a three-year extension with Utah.

“It means a lot to me,” Maatta said. “It shows they have confidence and trust in you. At the same time, it puts pressure on you to perform, and I think that’s a good thing.”

With both teams fighting for positioning, Detroit will need to find its offensive rhythm against a disciplined Utah defense to avoid extending its losing streak.

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