Vancouver Canucks vs Detroit Red Wings Prediction, 1/8/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Vancouver Canucks vs Detroit Red Wings

Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026

Location: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI

TV: Fanduel Sports Network

The Vancouver Canucks (16-21-5) are traveling to Little Caesars Arena on Thursday where they will go up against the Detroit Red Wings (25-15-4).

The Vancouver Canucks will look to clean up some issues after taking a 5-3 defeat to the Sabres in their previous contest . The Canucks had an average offensive performance in the loss. In the matchup, they converted 3 out of the 35 shots they put on goal. They also had 4 power play tries and were able to net 1 goal. Vancouver recorded 2 penalty minutes in this matchup.

When playing at even strength, the Canucks have given up 112 goals while scoring 87 themselves. Vancouver Canucks opponents have earned 135 power play opportunities (8th in professional hockey) and have scored 35 goals in those attempts. When talking about their goal scoring prowess, the Vancouver Canucks have earned 116 goals (26th in pro hockey) on the year and have allowed 147. Vancouver has tried 1,131 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.3%. For the season, the have a total of 37 points and their points percentage is sitting at .440. The Canucks have seen 1,234 shots attempted against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .881. Vancouver skates onto the rink with 142 power play chances and they have scored 29 goals out of those chances, garnering them a rate of 20.42%.

The man in goal for this game is Thatcher Demko. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Demko is sitting with 141 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .553. He has a save percentage of .909 for his 12,872 mins on the ice. Demko has had 7,845 shot attempts against him and has garnered 7,135 saves. Opponents have scored 710 goals against Demko in his pro hockey career and his goals against average is 2.78. He has earned a record of 134-98-21 and was named the starter in 255 games. Demko has been in goal for 261 matchups throughout his professional hockey career.

Their last time out, Detroit opposed the Senators in a matchup where the Red Wings earned a win by a score of 5-3. The Red Wings netted 5 goals of the 20 shots on goal they tried. They had 5 power play chances in this one and recorded 1 out of those opportunities.

During this campaign, the Detroit Red Wings have a total of 134 goals, 54 points, and a points percentage of .614. They have granted a total of 139 goals to be scored by of a combination of 116 goals at even strength and 23 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Red Wings are sitting with 100 goals at even strength and 34 goals (3rd in professional hockey) while on the power play. They have earned 138 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play percentage of 24.64%. Detroit has taken 1,256 shots (7th in the league) and has earned a shooting percentage of 10.67%, while allowing the opposition 1,229 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 80.67% on their opponents 119 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 88.7%.

Across the ice you are going to see John Gibson between the pipes. Gibson is the owner of a lifetime mark of 218-226-64 and has played in 531 games. Gibson's rate of quality starts is 53.9% and he has 280 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He has recorded 14,648 stops out of 16,106 shots attempted against him, which gives him a save % of .909. Teams are averaging 2.81 goals per game and he has given up 1,458 goals altogether. He has started in 519 contests and has been on the ice for 26,878 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Vancouver

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here