Detroit Red Wings @ Utah Hockey Club - March 24, 2025

As the Detroit Red Wings face off against the Utah Hockey Club at Delta Center on Monday, fans can expect an intriguing matchup that highlights both teams’ strengths and weaknesses. The oddsmakers have set Utah as -139 moneyline favorites, reflecting their recent success and home-ice advantage. However, a deeper dive into the stats reveals some compelling insights that could influence the outcome.

Utah comes into this game with a record of 32-27-11 and has shown resilience lately, winning four of their last six games. Their offensive stats indicate they score an average of 2.8 goals per game with a shooting percentage of 10.2%. They also generate about 28.5 shots per game, which suggests they’re capable of creating scoring opportunities. Additionally, their power play is relatively effective at 22.3%, converting nearly two out of every ten chances.

Defensively, Utah boasts an impressive save percentage of 89.3% and a penalty kill rate of 80.6%. This defensive solidity will be crucial against a Detroit team that struggles to find consistency.

On the other hand, Detroit’s current record stands at 32-31-6 but is mired in a rough patch with just two wins in their last eleven outings (2-9 SU). Their offense averages slightly fewer goals than Utah at around 2.8 per game but does have a higher shooting percentage at 10.8%. The Red Wings also generate more shots on goal (27.6), indicating they’re not shy about firing pucks toward the net.

However, where Detroit falters is in their defensive performance; they allow an average save percentage of only 88.8% and have one of the league’s worst penalty kill percentages at just under 69%. This discrepancy could prove detrimental when facing off against a team like Utah that capitalizes on special teams opportunities.

When analyzing these trends further, it becomes clear that while I predict Utah to win this matchup based on recent form and home advantage, I believe Detroit will cover the spread due to their ability to generate shots and potentially exploit any lapses in Utah’s defense.

Moreover, given both teams’ scoring averages and defensive capabilities—especially considering Detroit’s struggles defensively—the total for this game may likely fall under the opening line of 5.5 goals.

In summary, expect Utah to secure victory tonight while keeping things tight enough for Detroit to cover the spread amidst what should be an engaging contest filled with tactical plays and potential surprises from both sides!