St. Louis at Colorado

The Colorado Avalanche were the quickest team out of the gate a season ago, but since that opening season surge last year, this team has become very pedestrian at best. They have only been able to generate six wins in 14 tries on home ice, and that just won't get it done in this league. They have a tall task at home tonight going against the St. Louis Blues, who own a 21-9-3 record on the season through 32 games. The Blues are off a pair of bad losses where they coughed up the lead in the final period, so this team should be playing with an edge tonight. They have handled this Colorado team in the last three meetings. The Blues have been an NHL best 25.4% on power play opportunities this season, and the first two in this series on the season have both gone to the Blues in tight low-scoring affairs 3-2. Colorado has little margin for error as they have limited opponents to 1 goal each over their last three games, but still managed to lose one. They have been limited offensively, scoring 2 or fewer goals in five of their last seven, having been shutout twice over the period. This will be a tough spot for Colorado vs. a worthy opponent as it will be their fourth game in six nights, a situation where they are just 10-25 in their last 35 games. The Blues are riding an elite 40-13 mark in their last 53 vs. a losing team. The Blues own the win in six of the last seven played, and each of the last four have played UNDER the total, and I see this one following suit. Play on St. Louis and take the UNDER.