Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
DETROIT RED WINGS -170
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this matchup is on the large home favorite:
Anaheim has been struggling defensively lately, allowing at least three goals in each game while losing five of six. The conference-worst Ducks have also been outscored 29-16 during their franchise-record eight-game road losing streak (0-5-3) - a bad omen for a club opening a four game road trip that will play 10 of its next 12 games away from home.
It comes as no surprise to learn that Anaheim is 0-5 its last five on the road. It's also 1-4 its last five vs. the Wings and 1-6 its last seven at Joe Louis.
On the other side of the rink: The Red Wings enter Friday night’s home game trying to avoid their fourth loss in five games; however, Detroit enjoyed one of its best performances this season against the Ducks on Nov. 14 at Joe Louis Arena.
Henrik Zetterberg, who has a team-leading 30 points, had a hat trick and two assists in the 7-4 victory, and Cleary added a goal and two assists. It stands as both the Red Wings’ second-best scoring output of the season and the most goals allowed by the Ducks in 2009-10.
Detroit is 4-2 this season after a division game.
Bottom line: This is a very big opportunity for the WINGS to start to their season around; look for the Ducks to get overwhelmed in this one!
*9* RED WINGS.[/FONT]