The struggling Colorado Avalanche will try to built on their 1-0win over Nashville tonight against Vancouver. The Avalanche have won the last 6 meetings against the Canucks.

Vancouver is on a 3 game home winning streak, all wins on their home ice and all wins by shutouts.

Well, we have two teams going in different direction here. Colorado is having trouble scoring, their power play is scoreless in last 4 games (0 for 23). Avalanche no 2 center Joe Sakic will miss the game with a bad back. Colorado was outscored by almost avg. of 2 full goals in their last 5 games and avg. 4 goals against on the road this year.

The Canucks are getting strong goaltending right now and play tight defense. Vancouver is 5-2 at home this year and avg. 1.00 goal against at home this year.

We have a pretty good number of bettors betting the Avalanche tonight nearly 50 % of the action despite their struggle. The main reason is their good record recently against the Canucks (won last 6 meetings) and the attractive price knowing that stat. However, I think you got to put things in perspective here and look at the 2008-2009 season.

The Colorado Avalanche are no longer the high power offense they once were and their blue line and goaltending is very suspect this year. The team is also having problems scoring right now. On the other hand, the Vancouver Canucks are a good defensive team with great goaltending. The Canucks are also a good home team playing in your face type hockey. A tough assignment for the Avs, not much room to work on the ice. Colorado running into hot goalie. I like Vancouver chances.

Vancouver (-167)