Detroit at Boston

This is the first of a home-and-home series, with the Red Wings and Bruins meeting again in Detroit on Tuesday. Neither team is playing well, but the Red Wings are in better shape to get a victory here. The Bruins lost, 6-2, to the Rangers at home on Friday. Neither David Pastrnak nor Pavel Zacha played for the Bruins against the Rangers because of undisclosed injuries, significantly weakening their top line. Both players are day-to-day. Boston has a lengthy injury list that includes Charlie McAvoy (upper body), Jordan Harris (ankle surgery), Viktor Arvidsson (lower body), and Matej Blumel (lower body). Detroit is the healthier team. The Red Wings have scored three or more goals in five of their last six games. The Bruins have managed only 11 goals in regulation in their previous six games, a measly 1.8 scoring average during this span. Boston's offense will be even more affected if Pastrnak remains out. He is the Bruins' points leader and second on the team in goals. Take the Red Wings.