The lone game on NHL schedule after the 10-day Olympic break has the Colorado Avalanche hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Detroit surrendered a good portion of its roster, including head coach Mike Babcock, to the Olympics and it’ll be a scramble to get things back to normal. The Avs lead the Wings 2-1 SU this season. NHL oddsmakers at BETUS.com have the Avalanche as -130 moneyline favorites over the Red Wings (-105) with the over/under listed at 5.5 goals . Be sure to get your Colorado Avalanche vs Detroit Red Wings NHL Pick in now at BETUS.com
The Red Wings (28-21-4-8) are in a battle just to qualify for the playoffs and the defending Western Conference champs play 15 games in 30 days beginning on today. Detroit has 68pts and are in the 10th spot in the West. "Over the last three years we've played a lot of hockey and, unfortunately, the guys who could have used this break the most went to the Olympics," Wings veteran Kris Draper told reporters. Before the break, the Wings have only won three of their last ten games and lost four of their last five on the road. They are 12-13-2-5 on the road where they average 2.53 GAG and allow 2.94 GAG. They’ve gone through a lot of adversity because of injuries this year, which explains their situation. The Wings should have their complete arsenal for their final 21 games . That includes Johan Franzen, who along with fellow Swedes Niklas Kronwall and Nick Lidstrom returned to practice Sunday, and Andreas Lilja, who will play his first game in 366 days tonight. Goalie Jimmy Howard has supplanted Chris Osgood as the No. 1 goalie. He has started 23 of the last 25 games but has only three wins in his last ten starts with a 2.90 GAA. Overall he’s 21-13-8 with a 2.28 GAA and a .927 SVPCT.
The Avs (35-20-1-5) are healthy and in much better position to restart its engine quickly. The Avs only have a handful of players to welcome back from the Olympics. Before the break the Avs won six of ten games and five straight wins on home ice . They are 20-8-1-1 at home where they average 3.03 GAG and allow 2.23 GAG. This will be their fourth and final meeting this season. The Avs have come out on top in two of the three meetings against the Wings this season — winning 4-3 in a shootout at Detroit on Oct. 17 and 3-1 in Denver on Oct. 24, and falling 4-2 at Detroit on Dec. 31. Goalie Craig Anderson has been solid for his squad. He is 6-4 in his last ten with a 2.20 GAA. Overall he’s 31-16-5 with a 2.42 GAA and a .924 SVPCT.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Red Wings are 10-3 in the last 13 meetings in Colorado.
- Over is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings.
- Red Wings are 20-8 in the last 28 meetings.
- Underdog is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
- Avalanche are 5-0 in their last 5 games as a home favorite.
- Avalanche are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. a team with a losing record.
Colorado Avalanche vs Detroit Red Wings
When: Monday Mar 01, 2009 9:00 PM ET
Line: BETUS.com
Pick: Avs -130
Point-Spreads.com Colorado Avalanche vs Detroit Red Wings NHL Pick
The Bottom Line: The Avs are ready to go while the Wings will need some time. Be sure to get your Colorado Avalanche vs Detroit Red Wings NHL Pick in now at BETUS.com and receive up to 145% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today!
