Oilers vs Red Wings

The Red Wings get back on the ice after a long layoff, as they get set to face the Oilers on Tuesday night.

Last season, the two clubs split the regular-season series, with the home team coming out on top in both contests. Edmonton is sitting fourth in the Pacific Division, two points back of the Vegas Golden Knights for third. [Check out more stories about the Detroit Red Wings here on MLive](https://www.mlive.com/redwings/) However, they come out of the break in a playoff spot, hanging onto the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, two points ahead of the Calgary Flames. The Red Wings already had a week off prior to the NHL’s All-Star Break, which saw captain Dylan Larkin participate, and are certainly well-rested as they resume play. After going 5-7-1 in the month of January, heading into the break winners in three of their last five games, Detroit is second-to-last in the Atlantic Division, 15 points behind third-place Tampa Bay Lightning.

Two teams heading in completely opposite directions will prepare to face off as the Edmonton Oilers take on the Detroit Red Wings in the "Motor City".

Although the Red Wings enter this matchup as considerable underdogs in front of their home fans, this does not mean that Detroit has what it takes to send the Oilers home packing with a statement spread-covering victory. Not only are the Red Wings finally receiving a clean bill of health, but they will need to take advantage of being in front of their passionate home fan since they play seven of their next nine games this month away from home. Going up against a Red Wings defensive unit that has surrendered 3.27 scores per game, the Oilers could be in for a very favorable day with the puck in their possession. On paper, the Oilers possess the top-scoring offense in all of the NHL with 3.74 goals per game. Not only is Edmonton scalding-hot of late, but they also have shown that they have what it takes to cover the spread consistently with a 27-23 record ATS so far this season. Entering the All-Star Break, the Red Wings saw their mini two-game winning streak come to an end after being shutout by the New York Islanders on the road by a score of 2-0.

After that Edmonton won their next three in a row before putting up a stinker against the Blue Jackets where they still earned a point before ending on a fun ...

Looking at the Oilers roster as it is currently constructed I just don't see how they make him fit. I say this because suddenly everyone in Edmonton seems to be talking about Jakob Chychrun after months of saying they didn't think he was a fit here. The issue however is that Edmonton hasn't exactly been world beaters against the East thus far this season. Even though the start of January was a bit dicey, with the team going 1-2-1 and playing pretty brutal in all three losses, they built momentum on a three game road trip, treating the Sharks and Ducks like AHL teams and then ending on a high note with a close fought win against the Golden Knights. After that Edmonton won their next three in a row before putting up a stinker against the Blue Jackets where they still earned a point before ending on a fun game against the Hawks where the Oilers played a University goalie because they were up 7-3. That momentum is gone and if this team wants to have Cup aspirations this season they need to refocus and create new momentum all over again.

Detroit Red Wings (21-19-8) vs. Edmonton Oilers (28-18-4): 7:30 p.m.; Little Caesars Arena; ESPN-plus or Hulu; WXYT-FM (97.1).

Zach Hyman has eight goals and 10 assists over the last 10 games. Here's why Red Wings haven't recalled him](https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2023/02/06/detroit-red-wings-jakub-vrana-minor-leagues-ahl-roster-crunch/69877603007/) Leon Draisaitl has scored 29 goals with 47 assists for the Oilers.

Tyler Yaremchuk provides you with all your betting and odds needs for tonight's NHL slate.

The Red Wings were very average heading into the break so maybe the time off did something for them but you can say the same thing for the Oilers who were 7-1-2 in their last 10 games heading into the All-Star break. Yes, the Oilers are on road coming out of the All-Star break but they have been a great road get all season. Starting with the Edmonton Oilers taking on the Detroit Red Wings.