Detroit Red Wings vs Utah Mammoth Betting Picks

The Mammoth are very stingy on defense, permitting only 2.8 goals per game, sixth-lowest in the NHL. They also give up the sixth fewest shots on net. It is the Red Wings, though, that are coming off one of the most impressive defensive showings of the season. Detroit went to Denver and shut out the Avalanche, 2-0, two days ago. Colorado is the highest-scoring team in the league, averaging 3.9 goals a game. It was the first time this season the Avalanche had failed to score. John Gibson was in net for the Red Wings in that game and he is projected to be in goal today. Gibson is having a fantastic season with a 2.60 GAA and a .905 save percentage. Detroit has scored only six goals in its last four games. Utah topped Detroit, 4-1, in the previous meeting this season on Dec. 17. Utah has given up three or fewer goals in 12 of its last 14 games. Take the UNDER. 

Utah is in the Motor City tonight to face the surging Red Wings. At home, Detroit is 10-6-1 and scoring 3.4 goals per game (ninth best in the league), but the Wings are also allowing 3.6 on home ice, which ranks as the sixth highest. Inconsistent goaltending has plagued the high-flying Wings this year, and while Jon Gibson seems to have found a groove, winning his sixth straight last night against the Islanders, he will likely be given a rest for tonight’s game. The responsibility would fall on Cam Talbot’s shoulders, and the 13-year vet is 0-5 in his last five starts, allowing 19 goals (3.8 per game). The Wings are on a 5-1 heater, scoring four goals in four of the five wins. The offense is brimming with confidence after Tuesday's come-from-behind victory, and gets a chance to pin its ears back here against a Mammoth team that has allowed four goals in four of its past five. Take Utah/Detroit to play OVER the total.

Utah's defense keeps them in games, ranked 12th in penalty killing, plus 14th in goals allowed and save percentage. They're 15-12-3 on the road with an offense that is 12th on the power play. Utah is on a 6-3 run, including a win at Washington (5-4) as a +165 underdog. Detroit's offense is 19th in goals scored, while the defense is last in penalty killing, 22nd in goals surrendered (3.16 per game), and 19th in save percentage. The Red Wings have lost three in a row and five of seven. Play Utah.