Detroit Red Wings vs. Avalanche Game 42 Preview, Prediction, Odds

loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets this past Saturday night at Little Caesars Arena, the Detroit Red Wings will travel to play the Avalanche in Colorado Monday afternoon.

On Saturday, the Red Wings fell into a 4-0 hole that proved to be too deep to crawl out of, eventually losing 4-3. Detroit has a record of 18-16-7, good for 43 points, and is 5-5 over their last ten games.

The Red Wings will be faced with a tall task Monday as they go head-to-head with an old foe. Despite currently sitting on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture, the defending Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche remains a very talented group. Colorado has been riddled with injuries like the Red Wings for much of the season. The Avalanche are without captain Gabriel Landeskog, Valeri Nichushkin, Josh Manson, Bowen Byram, and former Red Wing Darren Helm.

Colorado currently sits with a record of 21-17-3, good for fourth in the Central Division, trailing the Minnesota Wild by seven points, and is 3-6-1 over their past ten.

Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde was a part of the Tampa Bay coaching staff that lost to the Avalanche in the Stanley Cup finals a season ago; it’s a loss that undoubtedly still gnaws at the Red Wings bench boss.

“They’re not having the season they were expecting, with their expectations into the season, but that’s a Cup contender,” Lalonde said. “They’re the champions, they’re that good again.”

“I don’t care if we’re playing the No. 1 team in the league or the No. 32 team, we have to have a high compete and execution level,” Lalonde said. “It’ll be the same thing against them (Colorado).”

Although it’s a rivalry that is nowhere near as intense as it had been 25 years ago, it’s still a matchup with the Avalanche, and while you want to win every game, there is something special about beating that team in Denver.

“It’s always an exciting game in Colorado with a lot of Detroit fans there,” Larkin said. “I’m sure with them winning the Stanley Cup last year I expect it to be a good atmosphere, an early afternoon game. We need to be ready to go. It’s always a difficult first 20 minutes in that building with the travel and the altitude.”

The Detroit Red Wings are averaging 3.1 goals per game this season yet allow 3.34. On the other hand, the Avalanche are averaging just 2.98 goals per game, which rank 24th in the league but allow the 11th-best 2.83 goals.

These two teams are essentially a wash when it comes to special teams. The Red Wings currently operate with a power play that converts on just 20.3% of their opportunities, while the Avalanche score on 23.2% of their chances with a man advantage. The team’s penalty kill is nearly identical. Detroit is maintaining a penalty kill rate of 75.8%, which ranks 20th. The Avalanche rank 21st with a penalty kill rate of 75.6%.

Detroit Red Wings game information and prediction vs. Avalanche

Game: Detroit Red Wings (18-16-7) v.s. Colorado Avalanche (21-17-3)

When: Monday, January 16th

Time: 3:00 PM

Where: Ball Arena

Where to Watch: ESPN+ / Bally Sports Detroit

Odds: According to DraftKings, the Detroit Red Wings are the underdog at +155 on the Moneyline. Colorado is -180. The Over/Under is set at 6.5, and you can take the Detroit Red Wings at +1.5 on the Puck Line for a -155 payout or Colorado -1.5 at -135 odds.

Prediction: I am going with the Detroit Red Wings to pull off an afternoon road victory in this contest. I like Detroit on the Moneyline, plus at +1.5, along with the Under.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.