NHL Picks: Avalanche at Oilers

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Last Updated on Friday, 17 February 2012 13:05
Written by BetRepublic
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The Colorado Avalanche is in Edmonton Friday for the third stop in their four-game road trip

FRIDAY PICKS: COLORADO vs. EDMONTON

Colorado started the tour with a 3-2 overtime loss in St. Louis and that was the team’s fourth straight game earning at least a point but that’s not good enough for a team who currently sits 11th in the Western Conference standings.

The Avalanche was winless in four games prior to that and three of those games were divisional, including a 3-2 loss at Rexall Place on Jan. 31.

NORTHWEST NIGHTMARE
One-goal losses and “divisional doormat” syndrome are two recurring themes for the Avs this season. Wednesday’s loss in Vancouver dropped Colorado’s record vs. Northwest opponents to 2-13-1 and six of their past seven losses were by exactly one goal. The only game that didn’t fit was two days ago, when Alex Burrows potted an empty net goal to make the final 3-1 Canucks.

Oddsmakers do not count on Colorado changing its fortunes tonight in Edmonton (-125), where the Oil have been priced as a small favorite for just the sixth time since Dec. 9 – a 4-1 win vs. Colorado. Edmonton’s record in those five games is 2-1-2.

WALL SUPPORT
The Oilers have announced Devan Dubnyk will start tonight and he has posted a solid 4-1-1 record vs. the Avs with a 1.98 goals against average and .941 save percentage.

 


Edmonton is 7-1-3 in its past 11 meetings with the Colorado Avalanche


Dubnyk was on the bench for the 4-3 overtime loss to Toronto Wednesday which was somewhat surprising given his 4-1-1 record in his last six games. It was not just the wins, but the caliber of opponent he faced: San Jose, Detroit; Vancouver. Wins against those teams are a good way to gain confidence from teammates.

NHL PICKS
NHL odds for tonight’s total are 5.5 Under (-115) and the Avalanche will go with Semyon Varlamov, who took over early vs. Vancouver and stopped 20 of 21 shots he faced. Varlamov is 1-3 vs. Edmonton with a 3.05 GAA and we like the value on the home side in this contest.
Pick: Take the Oilers


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