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Rangers vs. Red Wings Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight's NHL Game

Gary Pearson

Last Updated: October 17, 2024 1:56 PM EDT • 2 min 40 sec read.

New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin reaches for a loose puck as we offer our Rangers vs. Red Wings prediction.
New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin reaches for a loose puck. Photo by Dennis Schneidler via Imagn Images

In the NHL, familiarity breeds contempt. Just ask the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers, who collide on Thursday for the second time in four nights. 

On Monday, the Rangers won 4-1 at Madison Square Garden, thanks to superior goaltending and three-point performances by Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad. 

The Red Wings will turn to Cam Talbot, who earned a shutout in his first start of the season against the Nashville Predators. Meanwhile, the Rangers have decided to rest Vezina Trophy odds front-runner Igor Shesterkin for the first time this season. 

The 2-0-1 Rangers are among the Stanley Cup odds favorites, but our Rangers vs. Red Wings prediction analyzes the chances of an upset while leaning on the Breadman to deliver. 

Rangers vs. Red Wings prediction

Odds via our best NHL betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale.

My best bet: Red Wings ML ⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: | Implied probability: 33.33%

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The Red Wings have lost four straight to the Rangers dating back to the start of last season.

However, after seeing the goaltending matchup, I'm leaning toward Detroit finally breaking that winless streak. 

While Jonathan Quick was one of the league's best backup goaltenders last season, he started playing more like a 38-year-old in the latter stages. He allowed 18 goals in his last five starts, an average of 3.6 per contest. 

Talbot tips the scale in Detroit's favor

I'm leaning toward the upset mainly because of Talbot, who will make his second start of the season for the Red Wings. He turned aside all 42 shots and finished with 3.89 goals saved above expected against Nashville in the 3-0 win.

While I'm not suggesting Talbot is an elite goaltender by any stretch of the imagination, the 37-year-old has had the Rangers' number. Talbot is 6-1 in his last seven against the Blueshirts and has allowed more than three goals just once in 11 career starts versus the Rangers.  

And he was excellent out of the gates for the Los Angeles Kings last season, winning 12 of his first 17 starts with a .933 save percentage.

I don't expect Talbot to have a successful season in Detroit, but that doesn't mean he can't continue his dominance over the Rangers. 

A winning $10 bet will profit $20. 

Rangers vs. Red Wings player prop bet

NHL picks made Thursday; odds subject to change.

Artemi Panarin prop bet: Over 3.5 shots ⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -125 via Betway | Implied probability: 55.56%

Panarin had three assists against the Red Wings on Monday but only one shot on goal. He has hit the Over on this prop just once in three contests.

However, Panarin's line dominated the Red Wings a few days ago. They had 13 attempted shots with a Corsi rating of 59.1%. That dominance should extend into Thursday's contest in Detroit.

But this time, I expect Panarin's shot total to increase. He had at least four shots in seven of the final eight games of last season, and it's only a matter of time before he starts firing more rubber on goal in the current campaign.

A winning $10 bet will yield an $8 profit. 

Rangers vs. Red Wings live odds & info

  • When: Thursday, Oct. 17
  • Puck drop: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Where: Little Caesars Arena (Detroit)
  • How to watch: ESPN+
  • Favorite: Rangers (-150 via Betway)

Rangers-Red Wings predictions made Thursday at 12 noon ET.

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Written By:
Gary Pearson
Gary Pearson has written professionally since 2010, focusing on sports betting since 2014. Before entering the sports betting space, he contributed to the Canadian Press, FanSided, the Hockey Writers, the Calgary Herald, and other publications. His work has also been featured in Sports Illustrated and Bleacher Report. Gary, who consumes sports like a blue whale devours plankton, has a penchant for writing predictions and analyses across several sports, including hockey, soccer, football, tennis, and more. He bets regularly, preferring single-game picks, props, and live betting. While there isn't a sport he has yet to dabble in, Gary prefers betting on soccer, hockey, and football. He studied at various post-secondary institutions, including the University of Calgary, SAIT Polytechnic, and Griffith University, located in Brisbane, Australia. Gary has a marketing degree and completed his bachelor's degree in journalism at Griffith University. He feels strongly that life experience is as essential as post-secondary education, helping formulate more accurate predictions and analyses. Gary believes that competing at a high level of amateur sports during his formative years helped him better understand an athlete's psyche and the nuances and complexities of a team's dynamic, both on and off the playing surface. He feels that knowledge is immeasurably important when offering his analytical expertise. He has lived on five continents and currently resides in Canada.