Team Records:<\/strong> Tonight, 9:05 p.m. ET The stretch run of the NHL season begins on Monday night in what is the lightest schedule that we will see in the next six weeks. The Olympic tournament is finally over and it is going to be hard to duplicate the amount of intrigue, suspense and pride that characterized the best Hockey tournament the world has ever seen. It is up to the Olympic participants to regroup and close the incredible marketing deal that the Olympic Games paved the way for.<\/p>\n The disappointing Red Wings roll into Denver to play one of the true surprises in the NHL this year, the Colorado Avalanche. Both of these teams have been practicing together for the better part of a week except for those involved in the Medal Rounds of the Olympic Hockey tournament. Fortunately for these two teams, only Brian Rafalski for the Wings and Paul Stasney for the Avs played on the weekend.<\/p>\n The Detroit Red Wings were arguably the biggest underachievers in the first two thirds of the NHL season, but have an opportunity to put their mediocrity behind them with a strong last six weeks of the regular season. Tomas Holmstrom should be healthy as will most of the skilled Wings players for the first time in a long while. Detroit is in tenth place in the West right now \u2013 unacceptable.<\/p>\n Look for the Red Wings to be a motivated bunch after the Olympic break and to make a bit of noise. Pavel Datsuyk and Nicklas Lidstom should be pretty fired up by not taking their countries further in the Olympic tournament. The Wings are a top tier team in the NHL and now is the time to start showing us so. The Colorado Avalanche have to be pretty happy where they sit in the West. In sixth place, there is a seven point gap between them and the ninth place team. They have been playing good, consistent hockey all year particularly at home. But Milan Hejduk doesn\u2019t figure to return to the lineup on Monday night, leaving an offensive hole on a team that has been just average since his injury.<\/p>\n The Avs have been a pleasant surprise it I smell a letdown. Colorado is a team that should be fighting for a playoff spot, not sitting comfortably in one. I like the motivated underachieving team to win a \u201chard to get up for\u201d\u00a0game.<\/p>\n NHL Betting Trends:<\/strong><\/p>\n Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
\nDetroit: 28-21-12
\nColorado: 35-20-6<\/p>\n
\nSportsbook odds: Red Wings -110, Avalanche -110, Over\/Under 5.5 <\/p>\n![\"Sports](\"http:\/\/www.bodogaffiliate.com\/resources\/ca-banners\/sportsbook\/square\/250x250\/250x250h-sportsbook.gif\")
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\nColorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
\nThe total has gone OVER in 8 of Colorado’s last 11 games when playing Detroit
\nDetroit is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Colorado
\nThe total has gone OVER in 8 of Detroit’s last 11 games when playing Colorado
\nDetroit is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing Colorado
\nThe total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit’s last 7 games on the road
\nColorado is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Detroit<\/p>\n