Leafs/Avalanche
Tonight's interconference battle will feature two of the hottest teams in the league at the moment. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been red hot on offense, nearly averaging four goals a game in their current five game win streak. The Avalanche have been hot nearly all season long, and have won eight of their last ten games. Somebody has to see their streak come to an end though tonight.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been finding ways to score against some of the best defenses, but at the end of the day, these guys are human beings. Let's look at what they are facing tonight. Toronto will be on their third game in four nights, AND they will be coming into a back to back in a mile high altitude. On top of that, they will face a a team that is 17-6-2-1 at home, and currently on a four game win streak of their own. It is a simple fact that very few teams come into Denver on game two of a back to back and make away with a victory. Toronto may have momentum from their streak, but for the first time in about two weeks, their defense will be truly tested by a high potent offense.
The scoring threats between Colorado and Phoenix are night and day. The Leafs are coming off a game where they handled a Coyotes team with very few sharp shooters. Toronto has among the worst defenses in the league, and if they show any signs of fatigue in that thin air, this could very well turn into a blowout. Chances are that by the third period, the team will be in struggle mode in terms of keeping their energy levels high.
The Avalanche are well rested. It has also become apparent that Colorado often tries to beat other teams at their own game. Against good defensive teams, they will try to edge them in low scoring affairs. In more wide open games, they will try to destroy opponents with their speed and skill. Tonight, it is likely that the game will turn into a run and gun affair, seeing from which this is the game Toronto prefers due to their lack of defensive structure. If this is the case, Colorado will have the edge in energy by very large measures.
The bottom line....The Leafs are at a disadvantage in every situational and tactical aspect coming into this one. I am expecting an Avalanche win by at least three goals.
PLAY: Avalanche Regulation -125
Tonight's interconference battle will feature two of the hottest teams in the league at the moment. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been red hot on offense, nearly averaging four goals a game in their current five game win streak. The Avalanche have been hot nearly all season long, and have won eight of their last ten games. Somebody has to see their streak come to an end though tonight.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been finding ways to score against some of the best defenses, but at the end of the day, these guys are human beings. Let's look at what they are facing tonight. Toronto will be on their third game in four nights, AND they will be coming into a back to back in a mile high altitude. On top of that, they will face a a team that is 17-6-2-1 at home, and currently on a four game win streak of their own. It is a simple fact that very few teams come into Denver on game two of a back to back and make away with a victory. Toronto may have momentum from their streak, but for the first time in about two weeks, their defense will be truly tested by a high potent offense.
The scoring threats between Colorado and Phoenix are night and day. The Leafs are coming off a game where they handled a Coyotes team with very few sharp shooters. Toronto has among the worst defenses in the league, and if they show any signs of fatigue in that thin air, this could very well turn into a blowout. Chances are that by the third period, the team will be in struggle mode in terms of keeping their energy levels high.
The Avalanche are well rested. It has also become apparent that Colorado often tries to beat other teams at their own game. Against good defensive teams, they will try to edge them in low scoring affairs. In more wide open games, they will try to destroy opponents with their speed and skill. Tonight, it is likely that the game will turn into a run and gun affair, seeing from which this is the game Toronto prefers due to their lack of defensive structure. If this is the case, Colorado will have the edge in energy by very large measures.
The bottom line....The Leafs are at a disadvantage in every situational and tactical aspect coming into this one. I am expecting an Avalanche win by at least three goals.
PLAY: Avalanche Regulation -125