Trent Reinsmith
- What: Edmonton Oilers vs. Detroit Red Wings
- Date: Tuesday, February 7, 2023
- Location: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: ESPN+, hulu, SN
With the NHL All-Star break in the rear-view mirror, the next big date on the 2023 NHL schedule is the March 3 trade deadline. As that date closes in, teams are looking to establish themselves as playoff contenders. Two teams who need to improve in that department, the Edmonton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings, meet tonight in Detroit.
The Detroit Red Wings are in a rough spot regarding their playoff hopes. The team is in seventh place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 21-19-8 and 50 points. The Red Wings are still in the Wild Card race, but they need to pick up points in a big way if they hope to secure a postseason berth in 2023. Currently, the Capitals, who have 60 points, and the Penguins, with 57 points, are at the top of the Wild Card race.
Edmonton is in a better spot than the Red Wings, but they are by no means safe. The Oilers are in fourth place in the Pacific Division with a record of 28-18-4 for 60 points. The team’s point total has them in a Wild Card spot for the playoffs, but the Avalanche and Flames, who both have 57 points, are putting pressure on the Oilers. With the division-leading Kraken having 63 points, the Oilers are not far from leaping over Vegas and Los Angeles to challenge Seattle for the division lead.
Before we look at the betting breakdown for tonight’s NHL matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and the Detroit Red Wings, check out our guide to betting on the 2023 Stanley Cup and our tips for betting on the NHL.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Detroit Red Wings picks for February 7, 2023
| Teams |  |  |  |
| Edmonton Oilers | -152 | -155 | -160 |
| Detroit Red Wings | +137 | +135 | +140 |
Edmonton Oilers breakdown
The Edmonton Oilers were trending in the right direction before the All-Star break. Between January 11 and January 28, Edmonton went 7-0-1. The only blemish on their record was a 3-2 OT loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets at home. During that stretch, the Oilers went 4-0 on the road with wins over Anaheim, San Jose, Vegas and Vancouver.
The duo of Conor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are once again leading the Oilers — and the NHL — in offense. McDavid is tops in the league in points (92), goals (41) and assists (51), while putting up some of the highest time on ice of a forward at 22:36 per game. Draisaitl is second in the league in points (76), third in assists (47) and tied for ninth in goals (29). The Oilers have Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman to help with scoring. Both have over 20 goals on the year and check in with 60 points apiece.
Edmonton’s goaltending duo has been capable, if not outstanding this year with Stuart Skinner having a goals against average of 2.92 and a save percentage of .914. His partner, Jack Campbell, has a 3.34 GAA and SV% of .887. Overall the Oilers are plus-25 in goal differential, which puts them near the top of the Western Conference.
Edmonton is 15-7-1 on the road this season.
Detroit Red Wings breakdown
The Detroit Red Wings last made the NHL playoffs in 2016. They were eliminated in the first round that year. This year, the playoffs are in reach, but the team is going to need to make some changes if it hopes to play in the 2023 NHL postseason.
Detroit needs to score more goals. The team has 145 on the 2023 season, which puts it in the bottom half of the NHL. As for a goal differential, the team is minus-15 on the season, which is the fourth biggest deficit in the Eastern Conference. Dylan Larkin leads the Red Wings in goals (15), assists (28) and points (43). Outside of Larkin, three Red Wings’ players have more than 10 goals: Lucas Raymond (15), Dominik Kubalik (14) and David Perron (14).
Ville Husso has been getting most of the work in the Detroit net in 2023. He has a 17-11-5 record with a goals against average of 3.00 and a save percentage of .901.
Detroit has a 12-10-3 record at home. The team last played on January 27, when they were shutout by the New York Islanders 2-0 in an away game.
Best bet for Edmonton Oilers vs. Detroit Red Wings
The Edmonton Oilers offense is one of the most potent in the NHL this season. The Red Wings don’t have the tools to contain players like Conor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl over a full 60-minute game. With that, the best bet for tonight’s contest between the Edmonton Oilers and the Detroit Red Wings is to pick the Oilers to win.
Best bet: Edmonton Oilers to beat the Detroit Red Wings.
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