A crucial Atlantic Division matchup unfolds as the Detroit Red Wings (39-32-9, 5th Atlantic) face the Montreal Canadiens (30-36-14, 8th Atlantic) at Bell Centre. Coming off a victory against Toronto, the Red Wings are in a fight for the second and final Eastern Conference wildcard spot, while the Canadiens aim to rebound from a shootout loss to Ottawa. Hit the ice running with our NHL picks.

Detroit's season has been characterized by strong offensive performances, backed by a 9th ranked power play converting 23.2% of opportunities. This strength is crucial as they face a Canadiens team with defensive problems. The Red Wings' leading scorer, Dylan Larkin, with 34 assists, continues to be pivotal in setting up plays and scoring opportunities, underscoring his role in Detroit’s offense. However, Detroit's defense presents concerns, ranked 24th in goals allowed. The absence of Andrew Copp and Michael Rasmussen adds to the challenge, potentially impacting team depth and faceoff efficiency.

The Red Wings have demonstrated toughness despite defensive lapses. The ability to score, evident in a 9th place ranking with 266 goals, suggests they can exploit Montreal's weaknesses. Goaltender Alex Lyon, with a save percentage of .906, will need to be sharp, as his performance could be the difference in a tightly contested game. The team's middle of the pack penalty kill at 79.3% will also be tested, making discipline a key factor in avoiding giving the struggling Canadiens power play opportunities.

Montreal’s season has been hampered by inconsistency and injuries, reflected in a 27th place in both goals scored and power play efficiency. The team heavily relies on Nick Suzuki, who, despite a negative plus-minus, leads with 43 assists, showing his capability to generate offensive plays. The Canadiens will need to find ways to convert these setups into goals, a task made more difficult by the absence of key defenders like Kaiden Guhle and Arber Xhekaj.

The Canadiens' defensive issues are further exacerbated by having the league’s 25th-ranked goals against. Goalie Sam Montembeault, with a .904 save percentage, faces pressure to improve as he confronts a potent Detroit offense. The team's 23rd-ranked penalty kill will be put to the test, requiring disciplined play to avoid costly penalties. Montreal's recent performance, including a win against Philadelphia with a large goal margin, shows glimpses of potential. They need to channel this form to challenge the Red Wings effectively.

Craig's 5 Free Expert Betting Picks - Thursday 9/23/21

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