Facing each other for the final time this season, the Detroit Red Wings and the Colorado Avalanche collide at the Pepsi Center in an East-versus-West tilt. The match will get started at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 18, and fans at home can witness it live on Fox Sports Detroit.
Detroit Red Wings at Colorado Avalanche Odds
Colorado (+160) is playing the role of underdog to Colorado (-185), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -125 for the under and +105 for the over.
Colorado is 38-33 straight up (SU) and has earned 10.7 units for moneyline bettors this season. That early-season winning percentage is a surprising improvement over the 22-60 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Through 71 regular season matches, 38 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 28 have gone under and just five have pushed. The team’s 24-11 SU at home this season.
The Avalanche have converted on 20.7 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated second overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 84.1 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Avalanche have been penalized 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 5.4 per game over their last five contests home outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for 13.6 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
Averaging 28.4 saves per game with a .916 save percentage, Semyon Varlamov (22-23-6) has been the best goalkeeper for Colorado this season. If head coach Jared Bednar chooses to give him the day off, however, Colorado might roll with Jonathan Bernier (18-13-13 record, .914 save percentage, 2.81 goals against average).
The Avs will continue to look for offensive production from Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. MacKinnon (86 points) has produced 36 goals and 50 assists and has recorded two or more points on 24 different occasions this year. Rantanen has 25 goals and 50 assists to his name and has notched a point in 44 games.
Over on the other bench, Detroit is 26-45 straight up (SU) and has lost 16.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 71 regular season contests, 42 of its games have gone under the total, while 28 have gone over and just one has pushed. As the visiting team, the Red Wings are 13-23 SU.
The Red Wings have converted on just 18.0 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s ranked 23rd in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 22nd overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
Detroit’s players have been penalized 3.7 times per game this season, 3.8 per game over their last five match ups total, and 4.2 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays 10.8 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Jimmy Howard (2.87 goals against average and .909 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Detroit. Howard is averaging 26.7 saves per game and owns an 18-35-8 record.
Dylan Larkin (nine goals, 41 assists) has been one of the primary playmakers on offense for the visiting Red Wings.
Detroit Red Wings at Colorado Avalanche Free Picks
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Detroit (4-1 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Colorado has only participated in two shootouts this year, winning one and losing the other.
The total has gone over in three of Colorado’s last five outings.
Five of Detroit’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 0-5 in those games.
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