Winnipeg vs Detroit Prediction 5 January 2025

🔊 Will the Western leader hold onto the top spot? Winnipeg has unexpectedly started losing points regularly but still maintains the lead in the Western Conference. Detroit, on the other hand, continues its pursuit of a spot in the playoff eight in the East and has been doing so quite successfully lately.

📊 Head-to-head

The opponents have already met in the current regular season. At the very end of October, the "Jets" secured a confident victory in Michigan with a score of 6:2. The biggest contribution to his team's success was made by Winnipeg forward Kyle Connor, who managed to score a goal and provide two assists. The player is currently in excellent form and has scored points in three of the last four matches.

🍁 Winnipeg

The club from Manitoba remains the leader of the Western Conference but has started to make regular mistakes. In particular, Scott Arniel's team suffered two consecutive defeats, losing first to Colorado (2:5) and then to Anaheim (3:4 OT). These defeats did not move the team from the top spot but showed other league clubs that the "Jets" can be beaten. However, there are no systemic problems for the home team, and with the right attitude, they can easily break their losing streak.

🔴 Detroit

The change of head coach for the "Red Wings" had a radical and quick effect. Todd McLellan immediately secured three consecutive victories at the helm of his new team. Under his leadership, Washington (4:2), Pittsburgh (4:2), and Columbus (5:2) fell. It should be noted that the Canadian coach is not indifferent to Detroit's fate, as he began his coaching career here as Mike Babcock's assistant and witnessed the golden era. Now the specialist has an excellent chance to bring back the championship spirit to the "Motor City."

📌 Probable lineups

Winnipeg: Hellebuyck - DeMelo, Morrissey - Vilardi, Scheifele, Connor

Detroit: Lyon - Seider, Edvinsson - Kane, Larkin, DeBrincat

🥅 Goalkeepers

Winnipeg's goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, despite the loss to Anaheim, remains the goalkeeper with the best statistical indicators in the league. The American plays as efficiently and coolly as possible and is rightly considered the main creator of his team's numerous successes.

Detroit's goalkeeper Alex Lyon plays very rarely this season, but with Todd McLellan's arrival on the coaching staff, he has started appearing on the ice more often. It was this American who achieved victories over Washington and Pittsburgh, saving a total of 92% of shots on his goal.

📝 Editorial prediction

Both teams play quite effectively in attack. Neither of them sets traps in the neutral zone or engages in active forechecking. The teams seek success in attack and do so quite successfully. Winnipeg is the most productive club in the West (145 goals) and will certainly not leave their home ice without scoring. Detroit, in turn, will be forced to keep up with the pace. Our key bet is total over 5.5 goals.