KEY POINTS

  • Avalanche will host Red Wings on Monday
  • Colorado is expected to win over Detroit
  • Cale Makar continues to display fine play for the Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche served a huge statement last timeout by putting up an impressive performance against top Western Conference team and defending Stanley Cup Champions St. Louis Blues last Saturday, 5-3. A relatively lighter competition will come their way as last-placed Detroit Red Wings visit the Pepsi Center on Monday.

The NHL Vegas Odds are obviously tagging the Avalanche as heavy favorites at home in this game. After all, the Red Wings have only won four times in 23 tries on the road.

Avalanche:

The Avalanche will open the gates of Pepsi Center in high spirits as they are coming off a confidence-boosting victory over the Blues. Cale Makar asserted his mastery by setting a club record for goals by a first-year defenseman with 11 in Saturday’s win. He has scored goals in back-to-back outings and has accounted for a total of six points over his last eight games this month.

Red Wings:

It has been a forgettable season for the Red Wings. They hold the league-worst in wins and collected the least total points to date, just to name a few. Proving that they could not simply get over the hump, the Red Wings are currently in the midst of a four-game losing skid - a stretch that has become a normal occurrence for Detroit this season.

Their last setback came at the hands of the Florida Panthers where they lost 1-4 at home on Saturday.

Odds and Trends:

The Avalanche are huge faves at -340 money line as the Red Wings are placed to conquer a +270 odds price to win. The total is almost even at O/U 6.5.

The Avalanche are 5-1 in their last 6 games playing on 1-day rest and 8-2 in their last 10 vs. Atlantic.

The Red Wings are 19-41 in their last 60 vs. Western Conference and 4-10 in their last 14 games playing on 1-day rest.

Over is 6-2 in Avalanche last 8 games as a home favorite and 4-1 in Red Wings last 5 following a home loss of 3 or more goals.

Under is 4-1 in Red Wings last 5 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.

Prediction:

Moneyline: Avalanche

Total: Over

Nathan MacKinnon Colorado Avalanche
Center Nathan MacKinnon, middle, and the Colorado Avalanche host the Minnesota Wild in Game Seven of their first-round series Wednesday night. Reuters