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NHL betting picks, odds: The Red Wings are worth a long-shot bet
Detroit have begun the NHL season amid turmoil, with captain Dylan Larkin seeking a trade and sitting out, while defenceman Simon Edvinsson remains unsigned. Despite a three-game losing streak, the Red Wings are still in contention for a play-off place, and the article argues that their odds undervalue their chances.
Detroit have a 7-8-3 record, a minus-seven goal difference and sit three points from both a play-off spot and last place in the Eastern Conference. Their defence has been relatively strong: they rank 11th in goals-against average, second in high-danger chances allowed and sixth in expected goals against. The suggested bets are Detroit to make the play-offs at 11/1 and coach Todd McLellan to win the Jack Adams Award at 150/1.
In short
- Detroit are 7-8-3 despite major disruption.
- The article sees value in their 11/1 play-off odds.
- McLellan is offered at 150/1 for the Jack Adams Award.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Detroit’s defensive numbers suggest the team may be more competitive than its recent losses and below-even record imply. With the play-off gap still only three points, supporters of the long-shot bets can argue that improved results would make the odds attractive, while McLellan’s ability to guide a turnaround could strengthen his award case.
The case against
The case against betting on Detroit is that its early-season record, losing streak and minus-seven goal difference point to meaningful weaknesses, while turmoil around Larkin and Edvinsson adds uncertainty. Strong defensive indicators may not translate into enough wins, and the team’s proximity to the bottom of the conference shows how little separation there is between a play-off push and a poor season.
Explained simply
The Detroit Red Wings are a team in the National Hockey League, whose regular season determines which clubs advance to the play-offs. In their conference, teams compete for a limited number of play-off places, so a club’s position can change as results accumulate.
The team has faced uncertainty around captain Dylan Larkin and defenceman Simon Edvinsson, while coach Todd McLellan is responsible for guiding the squad. Measures such as goals against and chances conceded offer one way to assess a team’s defence, alongside its wins and losses.
The betting markets mentioned concern two different outcomes: Detroit reaching the play-offs, and McLellan being named the league’s top coach, known as the Jack Adams Award. Odds express the potential return on a bet and reflect a bookmaker’s assessment; they do not guarantee an outcome.