The Detroit Red Wings, fueled by Dylan Larkin and Gustav Nyquist, are preparing to take the ice against Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center in an East-West tilt. Fox Sports Detroit will air the matchup, which gets underway at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 5.
Detroit Red Wings at Colorado Avalanche Odds
Colorado (-220) is currently favored over Detroit (+180), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 7 goals (-120 for the under, +100 for the over).
Colorado is 28-38 straight up (SU) and has lost 16.9 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a slide from what the team managed during the 2017-18 season (43-39). Through 66 regular season matches, 35 of its games have gone over the total, while 30 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team is 13-18 SU at home this year.
The Avalanche have been able to convert on 22.6 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 28th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 77.3 percent of all penalties.
With a .911 save percentage and 28.0 saves per game, Semyon Varlamov (18-26-9) has been the principal option in goal for the Avs this season. If the Avs decide to rest him, however, Colorado could turn to Philipp Grubauer (10-15-15 record, .897 save percentage, 3.21 goals against average).
Detroit has lost 8.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far and is currently 23-42 straight up (SU). A total of 32 of its contests have gone under the total, while 31 have gone over and just two have pushed. The Red Wings are 11-20 SU as a road team this season.
The Red Wings have converted on just 16.6 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 25th overall and it’s successfully killed off 77.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
Jimmy Howard (27.4 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for Detroit. Howard owns a 17-27-7 record, and has registered a .908 save percentage and 2.98 goals against average this year.
Detroit Red Wings at Colorado Avalanche Free Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The Red Wings (2-5 in shootouts) has more experience this season in games decided by shootout. The Avalanche has participated in only two shootouts this year, winning one and losing the other.
- The under has hit in three of Colorado’s last five outings.
- Detroit has managed 32.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Colorado has been attempting 40.0 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- Five of Detroit’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 0-5 in those games.
- Detroit skaters registered 19.6 hits per game last season, while the Avalanche posted 20.4 hits per matchup.
