NHL Hockey Free Predictions: Colorado Avalanche vs L.A. Kings
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Team records:
Colorado: 40-25-6
Los Angeles: 41-24-5
Tonight, 10:35p.m. ET
Sportsbook odds: Avalanche +130, Kings -150
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Two of the most surprising teams in the NHL meet on Monday night in Los Angeles in a battle for sixth place in the Western Conference standings. Both of these teams finished last in the West only a season ago but have risen up and become legitimate Western Conference playoff teams.
The Colorado Avalanche, who got as high as third place in the West have fallen back to earth a little lately as demonstrated by the 5-5 stretch they have endured over their past 10 games. They have lost two straight games and need a win to put some distance between them and a hungry Calgary team that suddenly lurks five points back in ninth place in the West.
It is no secret about what has made this a turnaround year for the Avs. Strong play from their young talent and the goaltending of Craig Anderson has been the difference for a club that was not supposed to challenge for a playoff spot. American Olympian, Paul Stastny has been on a tear and had his nine game points streak snapped in his last game while Chris Stewart is on a current seven game streak of his own, scoring 23 points in his last 14 outings.
Colorado is a good resilient team that will be looking to snap a two game skid. Craig Anderson was pulled in his last game and will be motivated to put that bad outing behind him.
The Los Angeles Kings are another young team that has been scuffling as of late. Their once solid playoff position has become a little shaky with their 5-4-1 stretch over their past 10 games. A win for the Kings puts them three points up on the Avs for sixth in the West and it creates a bit of breathing room between them and the teams battling for eighth – the Wings and the Flames. 
The Kings will rely heavily on the veteran leadership of Ryan Smyth and Dustin Brown down the stretch and for Smyth, he will be happy to oblige. The likes of Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty will have to keep their strong play going and upstart goalie Jonathan Quick will have to remain solid if the Kings want to advance into the Stanley Cup playoffs.
There are not a lot of betting trends that jump off the page between these two team. They are both top 10 offenses that play some decent defense as well. So who wins? I’ll take the team that is playing their fourth straight game at home over the team that played and lost last night on the road.
NHL Betting Trends:
Colorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Colorado’s last 6 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado’s last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Colorado’s last 12 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Los Angeles’s last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Los Angeles’s last 6 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Los Angeles’s last 12 games when playing at home against Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Los Angeles’s last 7 games at home
Avs vs. Kings Free Pick: Los Angeles Kings
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