Detroit Red Wings v Colorado Avalanche
Ice Hockey: United States, NHL
Monday December 15th 2008 - 7:00 PM EST (0:00 GMT)

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Detroit Red Wings (20-5-4, 1st Central)

Detroit is not that dominant as last season but this team has great players who don’t give up till last seconds of the game.

So what changed in their game since last season?

Well defence is not that good as before.You just need to compare stats in last season (2.16 GAA) and this season (3.05) to see that. GK Chris Osgood stats are quite bad 3.20 GAA and .875 SV% but Detroit is playing high scoring games and usualy manage to cover GKs mistakes and alowed goals.

Defenseman Chris Chelios is back to lineup.Yup he’s turning 47 next month but still thinks that he can play in NHL.RW Darren McCarty is the only injured player in Detroit squad.

Colorado Avalanche (14-14-1, 5th Northwest)

Think that someone cursed my favourite team. Too many injuries in this season.

How the hell someone gets 3 broken fingers in snowblower while on injured reseve with back injury? Yup I’m talking about Joe Sakic. Well, the Avs captain will miss out to 3 months. Some other players will miss this game:

• LW Darcy Tucker (sprained left knee) is close to returning to the lineup after spending nearly three weeks on injured reserve. He was hurt Nov. 24 when he collided with Anaheim Ducks forward Brendan Morrison.

• C Ben Guite (ribs) was injured in practice Nov. 10 and is out indefinitely. He skated Friday but remains on injured reserve and it is uncertain whether he will travel on the team on its upcoming four-game trip

• RW Marek Svatos (back spasms) did not play Friday night because of back spasms. He is listed as day-to-day.

• C Joe Sakic (herniated disk, broken fingers) was placed on injured reserve Dec. 3 and is expected to miss three months after breaking three fingers in a snow-blower accident. He underwent surgery on his fingers and is receiving treatment for the back problem.

• RW Brian Willsie (sprained left knee) was placed on injured reserve Dec. 8, retroactive to Dec. 4. He is expected to be out at least two more weeks after being injured on a hit by Nashville’s Jordin Tootoo.

Head to Head

8 games last season and 8 wins for Detroit.
4-0 in regular season and 4-0 in Western Conference semifinals.

THE Verdict

I can’t bet against my team (The Avs) but you might want to.

I expect open game with a lot of goals so my pick is over 5.5 total goals

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take the DETROIT RED WINGS to win.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take OVER 5.5 TOTAL GOALS price at 1.98 at Unibet