The Vancouver Canucks are looking to kick a four-game losing skid when they face the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday, January 8.
With Detroit playing a mediocre brand of hockey out of the holiday break, my top Canucks vs. Red Wings predictions and NHL picks are calling for Vancouver star Elias Pettersson to lead the way in an upset win tonight.
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Canucks vs Red Wings prediction
Canucks vs Red Wings best bet: Elias Pettersson Over 0.5 points (-145)
Vancouver Canucks No. 1 center Elias Pettersson has hit the scoresheet in four of his past five games while putting up impressive 5-on-5 numbers.
Pettersson has a dominant 59.9 Corsi For percentage and 69.4 expected goals percentage at 5-on-5 while also averaging a healthy 3:39 of power-play time during the stretch.
This isn’t a daunting matchup, either.
The Detroit Red Wings have allowed 3.16 goals per game while surrendering the 11th-most expected goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5, after all.
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Look for Pettersson to leave his mark on the scoresheet against Thursday.
Canucks vs Red Wings same-game parlay
Vancouver has won five of its past seven road games, and Detroit is 3-2-1 out of the holiday break with a minus-3 goal differential while ranking 27th in CF% and 31st in xGF% at 5-on-5.
I think the Canucks can hang in Motor City tonight.
Additionally, one of the reasons Detroit has struggled out of the break has been a lack of offense. The Wings have scored just 16 times across the six games while generating the fewest expected goals at 5-on-5.
Canucks vs Red Wings SGP
Canucks moneyline
Under 6.5
Elias Pettersson Over 0.5 points
Canucks vs Red Wings odds
Moneyline: Canucks +138 | Red Wings -166
Puck Line: Canucks +1.5 | Red Wings -1.5
Over/Under: Over 6.5 | Under 6.5
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Canucks vs Red Wings trend
The Canucks have won 22 of their last 46 away games (+3.30 Units / 7% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Canucks vs. Red Wings.
How to watch Canucks vs Red Wings
Location | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI |
Date | Thursday, January 8, 2026 |
Puck drop | 7:00 p.m. ET |
TV | Sportsnet Pacific, FDSN Detroit |
Canucks vs Red Wings latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

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