Though Winnipeg is playing with a bit higher purpose this week as Rick Bowness has stepped away from the team to tend to his ailing wife, can't help but consider the Red Wings, who were five seconds away from a chance at a fifth straight win two nights ago vs. the Kraken. But the offense has been on fire, scoring at a better than 5 goals pg clip (5.2 to be exact) across the past six games, and Ville Husso solid in the nets. Should the Wings really be an underdog here? Play Red Wings on Money Line

I get a lot of playful grief for playing high-priced ML or PL in hockey (needless to say, I'm probably parlaying in some form), but I can only do with what I've been given. So for today, we'll hit an ML underdog outright for once instead of -230 on the PL even though I'm already having the withdrawal shakes/sweats by not using it. At least I hope that's what it is and not Rona. If the Wings lose in OT, guarantee that I will not be doing ML dogs again this season. Not worrying about OT is honestly worth it to my state of mind. Wings leading scorer Alex DeBrincat (NHL-bets nine goals) is expected to play after missing a practice due to illness.