The Colorado Avalanche (35-8-9) and Detroit Red Wings (32-17-6) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 1:00 p.m. EST at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich. The game will be broadcast live on ABC.
The Avalanche are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6.5 (-105o / -115u). The Avalanche are a -150 favorite to win outright, while the Red Wings are +125 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Avalanche vs. Red Wings predictions and NHL picks.
Avalanche vs. Red Wings Odds, Pick
| Avalanche Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +164 | 6.5 -105o / -115u | -150 |
| Red Wings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -199 | 6.5 -105o / -115u | +125 |
- Avalanche vs. Red Wings Spread: Avalanche -1.5 (+164), Red Wings +1.5 (-199)
- Avalanche vs. Red Wings Over/Under: 6.5 (-105o / -115u)
- Avalanche vs. Red Wings Moneyline: Avalanche -150, Red Wings +125
Avalanche vs. Red Wings Preview
Colorado Avalanche
Ahh. Even though they're not in the same conference anymore, whenever the Avs and the Wings square off, a major feeling of nostalgia hits me.
Currently in Colorado, there's nary another player in the NHL hotter than Brock Nelson, who has scored 12 goals in the month of January. Combine that with "The Dogg" Nathan MacKinnon, who leads the NHL in points, and the former multiple-time Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar, and it's hard to find a more lethal team.
However, here's the problem: after starting the season 33-3-7, the Avalanche have lost six out of their last eight, quietly losing ground in the Central Division.
Luckily for them, the Olympic break is coming soon, so I'd have to imagine that will pay off nicely for the Avs, but it's a concerning trend, to say the least.
This month, Colorado is playing to a 50.99 xGF% and a 2.82 xGA/60 with both goalies, MacKenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood, playing below their season-long levels in each of their past 10 games.
I'd be curious to see which one starts since both goalies have split the starts. But given that Wedgewood started recently, I think Blackwood gets the nod.
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings are in a bit of a bind right now, losing three of their last four games. However, they came back against their previous game against the Capitals and lost in a shootout.
Good thing for Detroit, though, is that it's put itself in a great position to make the playoffs for the first time in nine years.
Future Hall of Famer Patrick Kane had also set the record for the most points by a U.S.-born player on Thursday, but ever since he left Chicago, he hasn't felt like the old Patty Kane. Nevertheless, he's playing a fine supportive role to Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Alex DeBrincat.
There's a lot to go around for the Red Wings and we're starting to see the first sign of success from the "Yzerplan" from President Steve Yzerman.
Goaltender John Gibson is playing like the best goaltender in the league right now, and it seems like all he needed was two months to get acclimated to playing in Detroit.
In the past 10 games, Gibson has played to an 8.6 GSAx and a .926 GSAx.
Avalanche vs. Red Wings Prediction
With both of these teams playing fairly unsatisfactorily, I think this is a great opportunity to take the under here.
Colorado has found itself in a lot of high-scoring games as of late, as has Detroit, so I don't see a reason why regression isn't going to show up at both clubs' doorsteps sooner or later.
Even though Blackwood isn't playing his best hockey as of late, and Gibson is on a torrid run this will be a sweat-out bet for me at least. I'm taking the under as I try to capitalize on the best value here.
Pick: Under 6.5
