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Detroit (32-18-6) at Colorado (36-8-9)
- When: Feb 2 2026, 9:00 PM
- Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO, USA
- TV: ALT
Detroit vs Colorado NHL Preview & Pick
Moneyline: Colorado -210
Spread: Colorado -1.5 (+120)
Total: 6.5
Colorado Avalanche Laugh Last And Loud
Colorado looked like a team that had been slightly annoyed for a week and finally decided to take it out on someone. Detroit just happened to be standing there. The Avalanche snapped a small funk by dropping a clean five nothing masterpiece and reminding everyone why Denver is not a fun place for visitors with playoff dreams.
Led by Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado played like a group that had caffeine, confidence, and a deep personal dislike for red jerseys. MacKinnon exploded with two goals and an assist and casually crossed the forty goal mark like it was a light jog. After going a few games without lighting the lamp, he chose violence and timing could not have been better.
Even more impressive was how Colorado handled business without Martin Necas, who is dealing with a lower body issue. No panic. No scrambling. Just wave the next guy onto the ice and keep the machine humming. That is what contenders do.
Colorado enters this rematch as a clear moneyline favorite and it makes sense. When this team locks in defensively and turns games into track meets, opponents usually tap out sometime in the third period.
Detroit Red Wings Feeling The Grind
Detroit did not look terrible on paper in the last meeting. They just looked tired in reality. The Red Wings had chances early but once Colorado grabbed momentum, the energy drained fast. That is usually a sign of a team skating uphill mentally.
Coach Todd McLellan called it out as a possible fatigue issue, and honestly it showed. Detroit is still a strong squad with scoring threats everywhere. Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat, and Dylan Larkin can all score in bunches, but when legs are heavy and decisions slow, that firepower stays holstered.
Detroit is clinging to its divisional spot and the margin for error is shrinking. The problem here is that Colorado does not care about your standings stress. They smell blood and they are at home.
Betting Angle And Prediction
Colorado is favored for a reason and this is one of those spots where backing the home team makes life easier. Expect Detroit to show more push early, but once Colorado settles in, depth and pace take over.
The total sits at 6.5 and this one feels like goals will show up again. Colorado does not slow games down when leading. They speed them up and dare teams to keep up.
Colorado makes it two straight, Detroit skates off frustrated, and the Mile High crowd goes home happy and loud.
Score Prediction: Avalanche 5, Red Wings 2
Pick: Colorado -1.5 (+120)
Total: Over 6.5 (-110)
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
