NHL 2010.03.01 only pick:
Detroit Red Wings @ Colorado Avalanche
This will be the first match in the NHL after the Olympic Games. This should be seen as a second part of the season, and when the teams have to be more focussed. These two weeks off should work to improve the team and prepare them for the run to secure a playoff spot. Just 24 hours after the final game at the Olympics, between Canada and USA, which gave gold medal to Canada, some of those players and officials will return to NHL action almost immediately. The Detroit coach and defender Rafaelski were in yesterday's game and in all campaign, Rafaelski for USA and coach to Canada. Colorado will also have one player returning, with Statsny playing for USA.
Detroit "lost" their principal coach to Canada for the Olympics. Of course national pride should always take priority but it is one of a number of things which sees Detroit going on a path this year that could throw them out of the playoffs. And it will be the first time in 20 years if that happens. So, this break should be spent trying to improve the mechanics of the team. One of the problems of this team is their age - it's not a young team. Many of their players participated in the Olympics with their own national team, and despite not playing everyday, it is always a very intense tournament. Detroit would be favoured with this break if they could rest their players. But that hasnīt happened, and they ended up being one of the teams disadvantaged by the Games - the price of beign one of the strongest franchise in the NHL. Their record on road wasnīt positive in the first part of the season, due to a bad defence and sometimes, a struggling offence as well.
Colorado had almost all the team together during the break. They were able to rest and train in order to improve the chemistry in their team. This team had made a remarkable first part of the season, and if there were earlier doubts, they will have to face this second part as genuine contenders for a playoff spot. At home they were just amazing, with a 20-8 record, and also had a positive record on the road, with a 15-12 record. They can match a good defence with a good offence at home, with 2.23 goals allowed and 3.03 goals scored per game.
Today, Colorado will be fresh and happy to embrace this second part of the season, that could get them a playoff spot. Detroit are not in a good situation, many of their players have only just returned, as they had players playing in almost every game at the Olympics. Their bad first half of the season could be saved if they were able to rest and prepare for the latter stage of the season, but they had no time to do it. Earlier this season, Colorado were able to win at Detroit and at home. They lost in Detroit on New Yearīs Eve, but that is the kind of day where the old players can have the edge.
Pick: Colorado Avalanche 3Way (1X2) +140 (2.40) Bookmaker
*One unit each always.
Detroit Red Wings @ Colorado Avalanche
This will be the first match in the NHL after the Olympic Games. This should be seen as a second part of the season, and when the teams have to be more focussed. These two weeks off should work to improve the team and prepare them for the run to secure a playoff spot. Just 24 hours after the final game at the Olympics, between Canada and USA, which gave gold medal to Canada, some of those players and officials will return to NHL action almost immediately. The Detroit coach and defender Rafaelski were in yesterday's game and in all campaign, Rafaelski for USA and coach to Canada. Colorado will also have one player returning, with Statsny playing for USA.
Detroit "lost" their principal coach to Canada for the Olympics. Of course national pride should always take priority but it is one of a number of things which sees Detroit going on a path this year that could throw them out of the playoffs. And it will be the first time in 20 years if that happens. So, this break should be spent trying to improve the mechanics of the team. One of the problems of this team is their age - it's not a young team. Many of their players participated in the Olympics with their own national team, and despite not playing everyday, it is always a very intense tournament. Detroit would be favoured with this break if they could rest their players. But that hasnīt happened, and they ended up being one of the teams disadvantaged by the Games - the price of beign one of the strongest franchise in the NHL. Their record on road wasnīt positive in the first part of the season, due to a bad defence and sometimes, a struggling offence as well.
Colorado had almost all the team together during the break. They were able to rest and train in order to improve the chemistry in their team. This team had made a remarkable first part of the season, and if there were earlier doubts, they will have to face this second part as genuine contenders for a playoff spot. At home they were just amazing, with a 20-8 record, and also had a positive record on the road, with a 15-12 record. They can match a good defence with a good offence at home, with 2.23 goals allowed and 3.03 goals scored per game.
Today, Colorado will be fresh and happy to embrace this second part of the season, that could get them a playoff spot. Detroit are not in a good situation, many of their players have only just returned, as they had players playing in almost every game at the Olympics. Their bad first half of the season could be saved if they were able to rest and prepare for the latter stage of the season, but they had no time to do it. Earlier this season, Colorado were able to win at Detroit and at home. They lost in Detroit on New Yearīs Eve, but that is the kind of day where the old players can have the edge.
Pick: Colorado Avalanche 3Way (1X2) +140 (2.40) Bookmaker
*One unit each always.
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