Tampa Bay Lightning at Detroit Red Wings odds, picks and predictions
The Tampa Bay Lightning (29-20-4) and the Detroit Red Wings (28-21-5) meet Saturday at Little Caesars Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN+). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NHL odds around the Lightning vs. Red Wings odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Tied 1-1; Home team is 2-0 in the first 2 games, while the Under is 1-0-1
Detroit has won 4 of the past 5 meetings, while the underdog is also 4-1 in the span. The 'dog is 7-3 in the previous 10 meetings since April 19, 2022. The Under is 3-0-1 in the past 4 meetings, and 5-1-1 in the past 7 in this series.
The Lightning swept a back-to-back against the visiting Ottawa Senators Tuesday and Thursday, outpacing the Sens 9-4 with a pair of Over results. In Tampa's most recent road game, it lost 2-0 to the Red Wings, as Cam Talbot outdueled Andrei Vasilevskiy.
The Red Wings edged the Seattle Kraken 5-4 in a shootout on the road Tuesday, and Detroit has won 7 straight games since Jan. 23. In the past 4 wins, Detroit has not only won in 3 games, but each are either in overtime or a shootout. The Over cashed against the Kraken, halting a 3-0 Under run. The total has gone low at a 6-2-1 clip in the previous 9 outings.
Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team's out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!
Lightning at Red Wings odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:20 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML) : Lightning -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Red Wings +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
: Lightning -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Red Wings +120 (bet $100 to win $120) Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS) : Lightning -1.5 (+170) | Red Wings +1.5 (-210)
: Lightning -1.5 (+170) | Red Wings +1.5 (-210) Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Lightning at Red Wings projected goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy (23-15-3, 2.28 GAA, .919 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Alex Lyon (10-6-1, 2.58 GAA, .908 SV%, 1 SO)
Vasilevskiy backstopped both wins against the Senators, and he is 2-0-1 with a 3.04 GAA and .924 SV% in 3 starts in February. In his last meeting with the Red Wings, he stopped 30 of the 31 shots he faced in Detroit, but he received zero goals of support. He kicked aside 38 of 39 shots in the 5-1 win Jan. 18 in the first meeting with the Wings.
Lyon is confirmed to start. He allowed 2 goals on 27 shots in a 3-2 OTW in Vancouver Sunday. He has won back-to-back starts, while allowing exactly 2 goals in each of the past 3 outings. He came on in relief in the third period of the Jan. 18 loss in Tampa, stopping all 6 shots he faced.
Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now!
Lightning at Red Wings picks and predictions
Prediction
Red Wings 3, Lightning 2
The RED WINGS (+120) are worth a look as short 'dogs, as they're on fire lately with 7 consecutive wins. They've also dominated the series against the Lightning (-145) in the first 2 matchups, and in the recent meetings in the series.
Under new coach Todd McLellan, the Red Wings are 15-4-1 in 20 games since taking over for the fired Derek Lalonde as bench boss.
The Red Wings +1.5 (-210) will cost you more than 2 times your potential return, and that's way too much risk for not nearly enough reward. Even if you were to toss the Red Wings into a multi-leg parlay, it's not a recommended play. Just look to the moneyline instead.
PASS.
UNDER 6 (-105) is the lean.
The Under is on a 6-2-1 run for the Red Wings, including the most recent meeting Jan. 25 against the Lightning. The Under is 1-0-1 in 2 meetings with the Lightning since Jan. 18, too.
The Under also has a slight 5-3 edge in the past 8 games for the Lightning, with the goaltenders allowing 3 or fewer goals in 4 in a row, and 7 of the past 8 meetings.
Online sports betting is LIVE in North Carolina!
North Carolina sports betting | North Carolina betting apps | North Carolina sportsbook promos | BetMGM North Carolina bonus code | Caesars North Carolina promo code | ESPN BET North Carolina promo | bet365 North Carolina bonus code | FanDuel North Carolina promo code | DraftKings North Carolina promo code
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
43 thoughts on the Detroit Lions' offensive players
DETROIT — One thought for every offensive player on the Detroit Lions roster. QB Jared Goff: QB1 is motivated now more than ever to win a Super Bowl. QBs coach Mark Brunell said it's the only thing that drives the veteran signal-caller, having accomplished a number of individual feats in his career — including a top-5 MVP finish last season. While it's easy to tie Goff's success to big-name playcallers like Sean McVay and Ben Johnson, maybe it's time to give Goff his flowers. Goff, 30, is at an age where quarterbacks have seen everything this league has to offer. That he's playing the best football of his life as he's aged is no coincidence. He continues to produce at a high level, and another year of this play under John Morton should quiet critics who believe his success is coordinator-driven. Advertisement QB Hendon Hooker: It's Year 3 for Hooker, and it's time for him to establish himself as Detroit's clear-cut No. 2 quarterback. That wasn't the case as a rookie, as he was recovering from a torn ACL suffered in college. You could certainly understand that. And you could understand it to an extent in Year 2, since that was closer to a true rookie season. However, the Lions plucked Teddy Bridgewater out of retirement to serve as Goff's backup ahead of Hooker vs. the Commanders — and ended up needing him. This offseason, they signed Kyle Allen to compete with Hooker for the No. 2 job. The game seemed too fast for Hooker at times last offseason. He was holding onto the balls in 7-on-7s and team periods instead of throwing them. That can't happen anymore. It's go-time. QB Kyle Allen: Allen is here to push Hooker. Plain and simple. It's a smart tactic to apply pressure with a veteran who has starting experience. However, a journeyman like Allen beating out a former third-round pick like Hooker would be a disappointment from a draft capital standpoint. The Lions will go with the best guy, but Hooker should be given every opportunity to beat out Allen. RB Jahmyr Gibbs: Gibbs had an All-Pro-caliber sophomore season, and it remains to be seen what his true ceiling is. He benefits from one of the league's best offensive lines and less wear and tear because of David Montgomery's presence, but Gibbs proved he can elevate this offense when Montgomery went down late last season. He's a special weapon and his skills have helped turn a good offense into a great one. One of the most dynamic players in football. RB David Montgomery: Knuckles to Gibbs' Sonic, Montgomery is a core player on this team. His physical nature makes life easier for Gibbs and harder for opposing defenses. He's excellent in pass protection and is automatic in short-yardage situations, with some underrated wiggle in space. The definition of a ball player, and one-half of the league's best RB tandem. Advertisement RB Craig Reynolds: Reynolds has stuck around as long as he has because he's endeared himself to everyone around him through his work ethic, knowledge of the game, special teams contributions and personality. He knows the protections, the playbook and can be trusted whenever called upon. The Lions value that. RB Sione Vaki: Vaki is the wildcard of the RB room. The Lions selected him in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, in part, because GM Brad Holmes woke up feeling like he couldn't leave the weekend without him. His floor as an ace special teamer has already been realized, but Holmes was enamored with Vaki's natural athleticism as a part-time running back, spending most of his time at safety in college. That transition led to minimal offensive snaps as a rookie working with Scottie Montgomery, so it'll be interesting to see where he's at in Year 2 under new RBs coach Tashard Choice. Vaki was limited this spring but we'll learn more when the pads go on. I liked what I saw from him last summer. RB Anthony Tyus: Tyus signed with the Lions as a UDFA, beginning his career at Northwestern before transferring to Ohio. His final season saw him rush for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns. He had some impressive runs during rookie minicamp. He's a one-cut, downhill power back through and through, and isn't the only one the Lions added. RB Kye Robichaux: A UDFA out of Boston College, Robichaux, like Tyus, is more of a power back. He seeks out contact like his job depends on it — and it often does. He lacks long speed and won't offer much after contact, but the Lions should have space for a back on the practice squad. Both Tyus and Robichaux will have the opportunity to present their cases. WR Amon-Ra St. Brown: St. Brown has developed into a true star, with back-to-back First-Team All-Pro honors. Detroit's offense had more mouths to feed in 2024, but St. Brown remained Goff's go-to receiver. St. Brown revealed he underwent offseason knee surgery to 'clean up' something, but he's expected to be ready to go for training camp. One of the NFL's most consistent receivers, expect another strong year from St. Brown. Advertisement WR Jameson Williams: Lions coaches expect a breakout year from Williams, which is saying something after last year's breakout year. It was the first time Williams began a season as a starter, en route to 1,001 receiving yards in just 15 games. More than anything, it appears the game is slowing down mentally for Williams. Coaches talk about how engaged he's been, the questions he asks in team meetings, and how he's teaching the young receivers the way the Lions do things. That's exactly what you want to hear. Williams' long-term financial fit in Detroit remains a question, but for now, the Lions are happy to have him. WR Tim Patrick: A veteran who had previously struggled with health in Denver managed to play in all 17 games for the Lions last season, shoring up a WR3 competition that unfolded in training camp. Patrick is an excellent blocker and a big-bodied target for Goff in the red zone. He's also an excellent character fit. Back on a one-year deal, Patrick should remain a starter in 2025. WR Isaac TeSlaa: TeSlaa is arguably the most intriguing player on the Lions' roster, considering the draft capital the Lions parted with to acquire him. At 6-foot-4 with 4.4 speed and the ability to make contest catches, he's a ball of clay with endless potential. The Lions are betting on that — and their own infrastructure — moving forward. TeSlaa was a wing-T QB in high school who went the D-II route as he switched to receiver, and was so good he landed in the SEC. He must gain experience beating physical corners in press-man and expanding his route tree, but he's got the goods, the athleticism, the talent and the coaching to reach his potential. WR Kalif Raymond: A steady contributor on offense and a dynamic punt return when he gets going, Raymond is back for another year and remains a key culture figure in the locker room. Beloved by pretty much everyone, he's a sounding board for St. Brown and so many others. WR Dominic Lovett: Lovett is a quick-twitch slot receiver with a vibrant personality and natural charm. He started at Missouri before transferring to Georgia, posting back-to-back 600-yard seasons. Lovett and Raymond are a bit redundant in skill set, so it'll be interesting to see whether the Lions make room for him on the roster or try to stash him on the practice squad. We saw a similar situation unfold with Isaiah Thomas last season, and the Lions ultimately lost him to the Browns. WR Tom Kennedy: Always there when they needed, yet seldom needed. There's peace of mind having Kennedy around. He knows the playbook and is a grinder in every sense. He'll have a place on the practice squad as long as Campbell and company are here. WR Ronnie Bell: In a move that's flown a bit under the radar, the Lions signed former Michigan product Ronnie Bell this offseason. He was a standout in Ann Arbor but faces stiff competition in Detroit. Curious to see if he can separate from a crowded pack, or at the very least, stick around on the practice squad. Advertisement WR Jackson Meeks: Meeks, the nephew of former Lions edge Za'Darius Smith, crossed paths with Lovett at Georgia before transferring to Syracuse for a better opportunity. It helped him eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in his final season. Meeks has good size at 6-foot-2 and is a solid route runner, but his lack of speed (4.64 40) pushed him to UDFA territory. Curious to see if Meeks can stick around on the practice. WR Malik Taylor: A Flint, Mich. native and Ferris State product, Taylor has primarily bounced around practice squads, while dealing with injuries that have ended a couple of seasons prematurely. He's in his hometown now, though — earning a tryout invite for rookie minicamp and parlaying into a signing. Now the veteran will at least get the summer to convince the Lions he can help them in some capacity. WR Jakobie Keeney-James: A shifty UDFA out of UMass, Keeney-James pairs 4.37 speed with a 40-inch vertical out of the slot. A tremendous athlete who could earn some looks in training camp. TE Sam LaPorta: In the eyes of some, LaPorta had a bit of a down year relative to his rookie season. But consider this: LaPorta missed much of training camp, dealt with nagging injuries the majority of the season, and was part of a Lions' offense littered with weapons. He still finished sixth among TEs in receiving yards. Four of the five in front of him were No. 1 receiving options on their teams. LaPorta remains a threat in this offense and continues to improve as a blocker. TE Brock Wright: The Craig Reynolds of the TE room, Wright has the complete trust of the coaching staff in terms of the playbook, protections and the beautiful chaos around him. He's not flashy, but he does his job and gets it done. TE Shane Zylstra: Zylstra is one of those glue guys who has managed to stick around as the roster increasingly strengthens. He's not a lock for the roster, but expect him to contribute this fall when called upon. TE Kenny Yeboah: Signed as a free agent this offseason, Yeboah comes over from the New York Jets after an injury-riddled 2024 campaign. Known more for his special teams contributions than his blocking or receiving, that could be where Yeboah leaves his mark. Advertisement TE/FB Zach Horton: If the Lions are looking to return to the days with a fullback on the roster, Horton would be their guy. Horton is a true throwback player. The former James Madison and Indiana product is an excellent blocker and physical in the run game. Listed as a tight end, he's here primarily for his ability to get after it. Have to think his skill set appeals to guys like Campbell and new TEs coach Tyler Roehl. TE Luke Deal: A UDFA out of Auburn, Deal was invited to rookie minicamp on a tryout and impressed enough to stick around. That's saying something, considering the team waived fellow UDFA Caden Prieskorn, who had been given guaranteed money. Deal was a two-time captain at Auburn. Thought he flashed at rookie minicamp. RT Penei Sewell: A two-time First-Team All-Pro who is somehow only 24 years old, Sewell is entering his true prime. He is, in my opinion, the game's best run-blocking tackle. Big men shouldn't be able to move like him. The heart and soul of this team. Enjoy him for years to come, Detroit. LT Taylor Decker: Decker is still at it, going on Year 8 in Detroit. He's been an above-average tackle for much of his career and earned his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2024 as Sewell's replacement. Decker was banged up last season, but we've yet to see a true decline in play that should warrant a conversation. He's tough as nails and represents everything the Lions are about. G Christian Mahogany: Mahogany is a self-described 'dirtbag' who plays with that mentality on the field. He was excellent as a spot starter in his rookie year, and that was without the benefit of training camp as he recovered from mono. Imagine what he could do with a full offseason, like the one he's been afforded this year? The Lions are hopeful Mahogany can offer them a young, inexpensive option along the offensive line for years to come. We need to see more, but he's off to a good start. G/C Graham Glasgow: There was a time when Glasgow's place on the 2025 Lions seemed murky at best. The Lions have drafted three interior linemen in recent years, and Glasgow is coming off a rough — albeit injury-riddled — season. But after the retirement of All-Pro center Frank Ragnow, Glasgow feels more important than ever. He offers meaningful experience at center and his football IQ might fit better there than at guard at this stage of his career. If the Lions want experience under center this fall, Glasgow will be the starter. G/C Tate Ratledge: Glasgow's biggest challenger would appear to be Ratledge, who took first-team center reps in OTAs. How much should we make of that? Hard to say. Ragnow wasn't around, and the Lions clearly like the idea of Ratledge being able to play both center and guard. If he's the best center in training camp, the job will be his. But this could also be a case of the Lions exposing Ratledge to center duties now so he can take over in 2026. It worked for Ragnow. Regardless, Ratledge should have a clear starting path, one way or another. Advertisement T Giovanni Manu: In a perfect world, Manu replaces Decker down the road and blossoms into the next Jordan Mailata. Worlds are rarely perfect, however, and Manu has plenty of work to do before he's mentioned in that light. But he's got everything you want in a tackle. He's appreciative of his setting and wired the right way, he's a gym rat, he has on-field mentors in Sewell and Decker and one of the game's best teachers in Hank Fraley. He's set up well to succeed. G Miles Frazier: Could the Lions' interior offensive line of the future feature Frazier, Ratledge and Mahogany, in addition to Sewell and Manu? If so, what a haul that would be for Holmes and company? Frazier is your typical mauler in the run game, like Mahogany. Physical at the point of attack. A top-100 prospect in the eyes of The Athletic's Dane Brugler, before falling to the fifth round. He should be ready to go sooner rather than later. C/G Trystan Colon: After the news of Ragnow's retirement spread, the Lions worked quickly to add Colon, a 2020 UDFA out of Missouri who started seven games for the Cardinals last year. Colon has experience at both center and guard in the NFL, and considering Glasgow was the only player with an NFL snap at center under his belt before this move, Colon adds some experience. G/C Colby Sorsdal: Crucial year for Sorsdal — a 2023 fifth-round pick who was a healthy scratch for most of the 2024 season. A former tackle in college, Sorsdal made the switch to guard in the NFL, and has most recently been working at center. It might be his best path to making the team with an influx of talent along Detroit's offensive line. T Dan Skipper: A fan favorite whose place on the team was once decided annually on cutdown day, Skipper is one of the guys now. He is Detroit's jumbo tight end, a tone-setter in practice and the reserve most trusted to take the field when a starting tackle goes down. He has his limitations, but the Lions like what he brings to the table. G Kayode Awosika: Awosika has been a mainstay in Detroit over the years, often stepping in when a guard has been hurt in games. Last season, Mahogany filled that void. The Lions have added a handful of guards since then. Awosika is a smart player and an easy-going locker room presence, which the Lions value. Can he play some center to increase his value? C/G Michael Niese: Niese was Detroit's No. 3 center last season behind Ragnow and Glasgow, and saw some action in mop-up duty a few times. He made the roster out of training camp, but again, there will be more competition in 2025. Advertisement C Kingsley Eguakun: A multiyear starting center out of Florida, Eguakun was viewed as a Day 3 prospect before going undrafted in 2024. The Lions stashed Eguakun on their practice squad and have quietly been developing him behind the scenes. I'm keeping an eye on him. Think he has a chance to work his way onto the roster before the year is over. T Jamarco Jones: Campbell sometimes refers to the practice squad as the 'vet squad,' and it makes sense when you consider players like Jones sticking around. Jones was drafted in 2015 out of Ohio State and signed with the Lions last August. Just knowing a player with seven career starts is around in case you need him has to be a comforting feeling for Campbell and his staff. G Netane Muti: Muti is a bit of a mystery. He was signed by the Lions in February 2024, suffered a season-ending injury in training camp and missed the entire season, but would still poke his head around the locker room from time to time. Now he's back for another go at it. Muti has four career starts in the NFL. Vet squad candidate? T Mason Miller: Miller, a UDFA out of North Dakota State, brings eye-popping size at 6-foot-7 and some familiarity to the tackle position. He's now reunited with Roehl — NDSU's offensive coordinator before leaving in 2024 to coach RBs at Iowa State — in Detroit, and will look to impress this summer. With four preseason games, he'll have plenty of opportunities to prove he belongs.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Why Jameson Williams is no longer a boom-or-bust fantasy football option in 2025
(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.) If you're looking for contenders who could break through another glass ceiling in fantasy football this coming season, Jameson Williams' name is likely floating around your draft board. But does the buzz match the reality for 2025? To answer that, let's turn to the keen insights from Matt Harmon and Scott Pianowski on the latest edition of the Yahoo Fantasy Forecast, where they dove into Williams' outlook with the kind of nuance and reality check this wideout deserves. Subscribe to Yahoo Fantasy Forecast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen. Advertisement Matt and Scott wasted no time calling out a key fantasy football narrative — the idea that Williams "might break out" in 2025 is already a little backward. In Matt's words: 'They're talking about [Williams] again this year like they were last year ... People are being like, 'Oh, yeah, they're hyping up Jameson Williams for a breakout year.' He had a breakout year last year. What are we talking about?" That's the crux of it: While many fantasy players and analysts are looking for Williams' leap this season, Harmon's view is that the leap already happened in 2024. After a slow start to his NFL career, Williams' growth last season was more than just flashes — he became a genuine threat in Detroit's offense. Advertisement That said, both Harmon and Pianowski do agree Williams is 'a maddening player' — not because he's unreliable, but because his multi-layered skill set gives Detroit so many options. He can 'take the top off the defense' but also house any short throw. That level of weaponry means opposing defenses have to account for him at all times, as Scott said: 'He could also catch any pass behind the line of scrimmage or any short little dig and take it to the house ... Just to have a guy like that, it changes how teams have to defend you because they're just petrified of him all the time.' The Lions are clearly aware of this. They've been vocal about Williams again this offseason, not as a hope-for breakout, but as a key piece they need playing at his best. It's about keeping him 'engaged,' as Matt put it. One of the overlooked angles from the Forecast's discussion was a potential shift in the Lions' playstyle in 2025. Frank Ragnow's retirement signals trouble for their previously dominant O-line, meaning Detroit might need to pass more simply to move the ball as efficiently as before. Advertisement Translation? More volume for Detroit's pass-catchers, and that includes Williams. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] Williams isn't just a deep threat or a boom-bust flex. He's morphing into a true every-week piece, especially with the likely changes to Detroit's offense after the departure of their All-Pro center. So, if you're looking for upside, don't think of Williams as a guy with more to prove. He's already proved it — now, he's stepping into a bigger opportunity with a potentially higher target floor and established big-play upside. That's a compelling package for a receiver currently being drafted as WR24. Draft him for what he is, not what you hope he'll become — because Jameson Williams is already living his breakout. 2025 might just be where the rest of the world catches up.
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
Lions Receiving Strong Interest From Veteran Pass Rusher
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions were the best team in the NFL during the 2024 season. However, they were unable to win a game in the playoffs. After compiling a 15-2 record throughout the regular season, the Lions were quickly defeated at home by the red-hot Washington Commanders in the Divisional round of the playoffs. That loss has sat with them all offseason. Despite the pain of the loss, Detroit is expected to be one of the top Super Bowl contenders in the league again in 2025. Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions watches his team during a preseason game against the Carolina Panthersat Bank of America Stadium on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions watches his team during a preseason game against the Carolina Panthersat Bank of America Stadium on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo byAs the season continues to draw closer, the Lions still have an incredibly talented roster. They also have key players, such as Aidan Hutchinson, back from injuries that knocked them out before the playoffs. Read more: Vikings Emerge as Possible Landing Spot for Packers Star While the roster is looking impressive once again, there is room to add more depth. One area of need could be the pass rush, especially to protect from potential injuries like the team dealt with last year. Keeping that in mind, Za'Darius Smith, who is currently a free agent, has shown major interest in returning to Detroit. Of course, he was acquired from the Cleveland Browns ahead of the trade deadline last year and finished the season with the Lions. During a recent interview with USA Today, Smith made it clear where he wants to play. "We both know where I want to be," Smith said. "Hopefully, I can get back to Detroit because the coaching staff and everybody in the front office are great. When I'm there, I feel like a leader and like I can influence the young guys and do great things. Hopefully, I can get back to where I want to be in Detroit." Smith also talked about how he thinks he could help Hutchinson continue improving. Read more: Lions Trade Idea Would Land Shedeur Sanders From Browns "I'm still a veteran. He's still a young guy. I can help him with many things. He's already great, but as a player, there are some tools that I know that I can help him with," Smith said. "And there are some things as a young guy that he can help me with." Most of this situation will depend on the financial aspect of it. Smith may need to take a discount if he wants to play in Detroit. This vocal interest from Smith in the Lions could hint at a willingness to take less to play for the franchise. Only time will tell, but this is a potential fit to watch for Detroit. For more Detroit Lions and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
