Ottawa Senators vs. Detroit Red Wings Free Pick & NHL Predictions. This literally is the NHL Free Game Monday as you can watch it live for free at NHL.com tonight.
NHL Free Game – Scott Rickenbach Game #55/56 Monday 8* OVER 5.5 goals in Detroit Red Wings vs Ottawa Senators @ 7:35 ET.
The key to this pick is that the Red Wings are hungry to get a W in their home opener but they have already allowed 10 goals in their first two games this season.
After Detroit lost their first game 6-4, the focus shifted to avoiding odd man rushes and making sure to get back quick on defense. The problem with that, however, was the Red Wings became tentative in the offensive zone and they ended up losing their second game 4-1.
What that will mean for tonight is that Detroit is going to again get aggressive in the offensive zone and they certainly are happy to be home for the home opener of what will be their final season in the old Joe Louis Arena.While at first glance this may appear to be a good stop to back the hungry Red Wings at home, the issue with that is that goalie Petr Mrazek has not looked overly sharp early this season.
Detroit is hosting an Ottawa team that is flying high right now as they have scored 9 goals already this season. However, like the Red Wings, the Senators have had some issues in their own zone with already allowing 7 goals in their first two games. The last 52 times that Detroit is off of a game where they allowed 4 goals or more, the Red Wings have recorded just 17 unders.
Considering the style Ottawa is playing and the fact that Detroit will be focused on a strong game in the offensive zone after scoring just one goal in their last game, look for this one to get to at least 6 goals.
OVER 5.5 in Detroit is an 8* selection Monday evening in the NHL.
Although this is Scott Rickenbach‘s Free Pick for Monday, please know that this is an actual 8* release that all his NHL clients are receiving as an actual star rated release for tonight.
