Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Detroit Red Wings, Picks and Prediction, Friday, October 17, 2025

The Tampa Bay Lightning face the Detroit Red Wings with both teams looking to improve on promising starts to the season. The Lightning are 1-2-1 and looking to rebound from a rough loss. The Red Wings are 3-1, and after a rough opening night loss, they have looked like the best team in the Atlantic Division. Who will win this game? Check out our Lightning vs Red Wings prediction!

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Tampa Bay hopes defense improves

The Lightning are off to a promising start behind a great offense that is scoring 3.25 goals per game. Jake Guentzel and Brayden Point have scored three goals and seven assists to lead the top line but the rest of the offense has stepped up as well. Nikita Kucherov, Anthony Cirelli, and Oliver Bjorkstrand have combined for five goals and four assists, while defensemen Victor Hedman and Darren Raddysh have added a goal and five assists from the point to open up the offense.

The offense has been great but the defense has let them down, allowing 4.00 goals per game. Hedman and Raddysh have led the top two pairings, but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. Additionally, goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has struggled with a .870 save percentage and a 4.08 goals-against average on 92 shots.

Red Wings are led by a great offense

The Red Wings are off to a great start with their offense leading the way, scoring 3.50 goals per game with 13 goals in the last three games. Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane, and Dylan Larkin have scored four goals and 12 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has also been great. Lucas Raymond, Mason Appleton, and Emmitt Finnie have combined for five goals and three assists while defensemen Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson have added a goal and two assists from the point to open up the offense.

The offense has been great, but the defense has also stepped up, allowing only 2.75 goals per game. Seider and Edvinsson have led the top two pairings, while Albert Johansson and Jacob Bernard-Docker have added depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Cam Talbot has been great with a .932 save percentage and a 1.78 goals-against average on 88 shots.

Lightning vs Red Wings Pick

Money Line Pick for Lightning vs. Red Wings

• Red Wings (+135) (4 units)

The Red Wings are having a great season, and they look to take over this game on their home ice. The Red Wings, who average 3.50 goals per game, should pile on the goals with Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Larkin, and the rest of the forward unit establishing a strong offensive zone presence and creating open shots with quick passes. The Red Wings, who allow only 2.75 goals per game, should limit the Lightning offense with Moritz Seider, Simon Edvinsson, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Cam Talbot to make plenty of big saves. The Red Wings should win the game and provide great odds in the process as home Underdogs.

Take the Red Wings money line as home Underdogs.

Over/Under Pick For Lightning vs Red Wings

• Over 6.5 (5 Units)

Both teams have great offenses, and this game looks to be a high-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Lightning, who average 3.25 goals per game, should find the back of the net at will with Nikita Kucherov, Jake Guentzel, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Red Wings, who have scored 13 goals in the last three games, should run up the score against the Lightning, who allow 4.00 goals per game, with Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the rush and creating open shots with quick passes while defensemen Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson picking apart the Lightning defense from the point. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.

Take the Over on 6.5 goals.