Detroit heads to Bridgestone Arena for a Monday afternoon clash with Nashville, and it’s the kind of matchup where small details can swing the result special teams, goaltending, and who controls the pace early.
Detroit arrive as a structured, transition-based team that leans on its top skill group to finish chances, while Nashville prefer a more aggressive style at home, pushing the game into an open pace and looking for late surges especially in the third period. With both clubs needing points for their playoff positioning, expect intensity, plenty of power-play moments, and star players like Stamkos, O’Reilly, Forsberg and Larkin, Raymond, DeBrincat shaping the story.
Match Details
| Match | Detroit Red Wings vs Nashville Predators |
|---|---|
| Date | March 2, 2026 |
| Time | 2:00 PM ET |
| Venue | Bridgestone Arena, Nashville |
| TV | NHL Network |
| Moneyline | DET -114 / NSH -106 (near pick’em) |
| Total | 6.5 goals |
Projected Lineups (Latest Update)
Detroit Red Wings
Forwards
- Marco Kasper — Dylan Larkin — Lucas Raymond
- Alex DeBrincat — Andrew Copp — Patrick Kane
- Emmitt Finnie — J.T. Compher — Mason Appleton
- Dominik Shine — Michael Rasmussen — James van Riemsdyk
Defense
- Simon Edvinsson — Moritz Seider
- Albert Johansson — Axel Sandin-Pellikka
- Ben Chiarot — Jacob Bernard-Docker
Goalies
- John Gibson
- Cam Talbot
Scratched: Erik Gustafsson, Travis Hamonic, Elmer Soderblom
Injured: None
Nashville Predators
Forwards
- Steven Stamkos — Ryan O’Reilly — Luke Evangelista
- Filip Forsberg — Erik Haula — Jonathan Marchessault
- Michael Bunting — Michael McCarron — Cole Smith
- Zachary L’Heureux — Tyson Jost — Matthew Wood
Defense
- Brady Skjei — Roman Josi
- Nicolas Hague — Nick Blankenburg
- Justin Barron — Nick Perbix
Goalies
- Juuse Saros
- Justus Annunen
Scratched: Ozzy Wiesblatt
Injured: Adam Wilsby (lower body)
Last Games Snapshot
Detroit (Recent Results)
Detroit’s last five results show a mixed run:
- Lost vs Carolina (5-2)
- Beat Ottawa (2-1 OT)
- Lost vs Utah (4-1)
- Beat Colorado (2-0)
- Lost vs Colorado (5-0)
They can beat strong teams when the structure holds, but when the game becomes too open, they can give up runs of goals.
Nashville (Recent Results)
Nashville’s recent stretch has been swingy as well:
- Lost vs Dallas (3-2 OT)
- Beat Chicago (4-2)
- Lost vs Washington (4-2)
- Lost vs Minnesota (6-5)
- Beat St. Louis (6-5)
The Predators are capable of big scoring nights, but they also allow too many quality chances.
Injury Report & Goaltending Angle
Detroit have no injuries listed, which matters in a road game where depth lines and defensive pairs get tested. Nashville are without Adam Wilsby, and they’re expected to lean on Juuse Saros again.
Goaltending is a major storyline:
- Saros has been busy behind a defense that gives up chances.
- Detroit have options in Gibson and Talbot, and either can swing this matchup if they settle in early.
Head-to-Head Trend (What Matters Most)
Nashville ice has usually been a tough spot for Detroit. In recent meetings in Tennessee, the home side has won most of the time, with Detroit’s standout exception being a 5-2 win last season. This season’s matchup included a 6-3 Nashville win, which showed how dangerous the Predators can be when they get pace and net-front chaos.
Simple takeaway: If Nashville makes it a track meet, they’re hard to handle at home. If Detroit slows it down and wins the neutral-zone battle, the Wings can steal points.
Team Comparison Table
| Category | Predators | Red Wings |
|---|---|---|
| Goals per game | 2.9 | 2.9 |
| Goals allowed per game | 3.4 | 3.0 |
| Power play | 22.41% | 23.24% |
| Team style | Aggressive, open at home | Structured, transition-first |
Detroit are the cleaner defensive team on paper, while Nashville’s games tend to be more chaotic.
Player Props to Watch
Best prop lean
- Lucas Raymond Over 0.5 assists
Raymond drives Detroit’s playmaking, especially on the power play, and this matchup sets up well if Detroit get PP chances against a defense that has been leaking goals.
Other prop angles (value-style)
- Dylan Larkin Over 0.5 points (correlates with Raymond)
- Moritz Seider Over 1.5 shots on goal (blue-line volume, especially on the road)
Best Picks
| Market | Pick |
|---|---|
| Puck line | Red Wings +1.5 |
| Total | Under 6.5 |
| Score pick | Predators 4 – Red Wings 3 |
| Prop (top) | Lucas Raymond Over 0.5 assists |
| Team total lean | Predators Over 2.5 goals |
This looks like a tight, playoff-pressure matchup. Detroit’s structure and slightly better defensive profile make them a strong +1.5 option, but Nashville’s home pace and top-end finish (Stamkos–O’Reilly–Forsberg) make the Predators dangerous to fade outright.
If the game stays controlled, Detroit can grind out points. If it opens up, Nashville’s home attack can push them over the top late.
