Detroit Red Wings vs Vancouver Canucks Picks and Predictions for Thursday October 22 2026
Imagine being up three goals at home and having the other team tie it with 17 seconds left. Seattle nearly managed that disaster Tuesday night, and Detroit was the team making everybody nervous. Alex DeBrincat scored his 300th career goal to force overtime, although the Red Wings eventually lost in a shootout. Detroit didn’t get the win, but it certainly wasn’t ready to go away.
Vancouver hasn’t been nearly as stubborn. The Canucks have gone eight games without a win, and Tuesday’s 6-3 loss to Carolina was another rough one. Three different Hurricanes scored twice. You don’t see that very often, and it’s not something Vancouver’s defense will want to watch again.
Detroit heads into Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Thursday, October 22, 2026. Puck drop is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET. The Red Wings are favored, although the exact moneyline and total weren’t confirmed when this preview was prepared. Check out our free NHL picks for more predictions.
Detroit Red Wings Are Finding Ways To Hang Around
Detroit is 3-3-3, which isn’t going to impress anybody, but the Red Wings have picked up points in five straight games. That’s worth something. They’ve gone 2-0-3 during that stretch, and Tuesday’s 4-3 shootout loss in Seattle was about as strange as they come. Down 3-0, Detroit got goals from Viktor Arvidsson and Lucas Raymond before DeBrincat tied it with 16.9 seconds left. Seattle eventually won the shootout. The Wings probably felt pretty good about the comeback and lousy about not getting the extra point.
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I keep coming back to Detroit’s starts. The Red Wings have enough forwards to score, but they’re making things awfully difficult by giving opponents early leads. Seattle got three before Detroit woke up. Vancouver might be struggling, but it still has players who can score if you give them room. The difference is that the Canucks haven’t been able to protect leads or keep opponents out of dangerous areas. If Detroit gets its offense going before the third period this time, Vancouver could be in for another long night.
DeBrincat has six goals, and that 300th career goal was a big one. Arvidsson has four, Raymond finally got his first against Seattle, and Dylan Larkin picked up two assists Tuesday. Those are the guys Detroit needs producing. Daniil Tarasov made 24 saves against the Kraken, and the Red Wings need better defensive work in front of whoever starts Thursday. Detroit can score enough to beat Vancouver. Whether it can keep the Canucks from scoring three or four is another question.
Vancouver Canucks Are Running Out Of Excuses
Eight games without a win. That’s where Vancouver stands after losing 6-3 to Carolina. The Canucks actually scored enough to make it interesting for a while, but Carolina pulled away with three goals in the third period. Nicolas Deslauriers, Logan Stankoven, and Nikolaj Ehlers each scored twice. That’s six goals from three players. Vancouver’s defense had a miserable night, and the Canucks didn’t have much of an answer.
The Canucks have been giving up too many chances, especially around their own net. Opponents are getting second looks, finding open space, and making Vancouver pay. Detroit has been having defensive problems of its own, so the Canucks should get some opportunities Thursday. But they need to do more than score a couple of goals and hope for the best. Vancouver has to keep the Red Wings from getting comfortable in the offensive zone. That’s been easier said than done lately.
Elias Pettersson has been producing at roughly a point-per-game pace, and Vancouver needs him to lead the way. Brock Boeser and Jake DeBrusk are capable of scoring, while Filip Hronek gives the Canucks some offense from the blue line. Linus Karlsson, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, and Max Sasson scored against Carolina, which was encouraging. The trouble is that Vancouver still gave up six. Until the Canucks start defending better, it won’t matter how many different guys get on the scoresheet.
Detroit Red Wings vs Vancouver Canucks Picks and Predictions
Detroit Red Wings Moneyline
I’m taking Detroit. The Red Wings aren’t exactly lighting up the league, but they’ve been getting points, and that’s more than Vancouver can say. DeBrincat is scoring, Larkin is making plays, and Detroit has enough offense to give the Canucks trouble. Vancouver could win this if the Red Wings fall behind early again. That’s the part that worries me. But I don’t trust a team that’s gone eight games without a win and just gave up six goals at home. Detroit is the side.
Over 5.5 Goals
Over 5.5 is my total pick, assuming that’s the line available. Detroit has been giving up goals, Vancouver has been giving up even more, and both teams have enough offensive talent to make this interesting. The Red Wings scored three in the third period against Seattle, and the Canucks scored three against Carolina. Neither defense has been particularly reliable. Maybe one of the goalies steals the show, but I’m not betting on it. Detroit 4, Vancouver 3.
Final Picks: Detroit Red Wings Moneyline and Over 5.5 Goals (conditional on posted lines)
This preview was completed October 21, 2026. Betting lines, injuries, and starting goaltenders may change before puck drop.
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