NHL Hockey Free Predictions: Anaheim Ducks vs Colorado Avalanche
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Team records:
Anaheim: 36-31-8
Colorado: 41-27-7
Tonight, 9:05p.m. ET
Sportsbook odds: Ducks +160, Avalanche -190
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The suddenly struggling Colorado Avalanche will try to put an end to a two game losing streak when they play host to an Anaheim Ducks team that has largely disappointed this season. The Ducks are still mathematically alive in the Western Conference playoff race and need a win to close the gap on the team that they are chasing, the Avs, for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
The Ducks enter Wednesday night’s game nine points back of Colorado and with a win could keep their ever so slim playoff hopes alive. Anaheim has woken up recently; going 6-2 in their last eight games. It appears to be a little too little a little too late however.
The Ducks entered the season with one of the most stacked lineups in the NHL. They boast one of the best mixes of you and veteran leadership in the league but have not been able to turn that mix into success. A finish outside the playoffs is imminent and is a huge disappointment for the franchise.
Teemu Selanne is the only Duck player that is worthy of praise lately. As well as scoring his 600th career goal last week, Selanne has eight points in his last seven games. Other than that, backup goaltender Curtis McElhinney who replaced injured Jonas Hiller has posted a 3-0 record with a 1.97 goals against average since coming over from Calgary at the trade deadline. Ryan Getzlaf is likely to miss Wednesday’s game with injury, making a tough task even tougher. 
The Colorado Avalanche continue their bounce back season and although they once appeared safe in the Western Conference playoff race, a recent 4-5-1 stretch has them looking over their shoulders at the Calgary Flames who are only four points back in ninth place. The Avs need to start a new roll to ensure their playoff position and to make certain that they are competitive in the first round of the playoffs.
Other than Peter Meuller, who has seven goals and ten assists since coming over from Phoenix, the rest of the Avalanche have fallen into a bit of a slump. This slump is most evident in the play of goaltender Craig Anderson who was Colorado’s rock for the first three quarters of the season. He is 1-4-1 in his last five games with a lofty 4.12 goals against average.
The Colorado Avalanche need a win badly on Wednesday night. Not only have they lost the pad that they built up in the Western Conference, but they have also appeared to have lost the swagger that they possessed all season long. It is desperation time for Colorado and I think they will respond on home ice.
NHL Betting Trends:
Anaheim is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Colorado
Colorado is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home
Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Anaheim
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Anaheim’s last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Anaheim’s last 6 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Anaheim’s last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Colorado’s last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Colorado’s last 6 games when playing Anaheim
Ducks vs. Avalanche Free Pick: Colorado Avalanche -190
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