NHL Betting Preview: Anaheim Ducks at Colorado Avalanche

Added on Mar 11, 2011 by Jack Thurman in

NHL

Western Conference action in the NHL for Friday night as the Anaheim Ducks try to pull themselves into playoff qualification as they face the bumbling Carolina Avalanche. Ducks are tied for 10th place with the Minnesota Wild with both teams just two points out of the 8th and final postseason spot. Avs are in freefall and could finish with the worst record in the NHL.

Anaheim Ducks at Colorado Avalanche
March 11, 2011 6:05 PM Pacific

The Ducks are a solid, hard working team and one of a pack of teams in the middle of the Western Conference schedule trying to scrap their way into the playoffs. Compared to the Colorado Avalanche, they’re Stanley Cup champions. It wasn’t that long ago that teams hated to play the Avs in Denver–now they’re a doormat no matter where the game is played. The Colorado Avalanche at this point is the biggest train wreck in the NHL. The Avs have won only 1 of their last 10 (1-7-2) and rank dead last in the NHL in scoring defense allowing 3.46 goals per game. Even that 1-7-2 record doesn’t accurately reflect the miserable play of Colorado since mid December. They’ve lost 18 of their last 20 and 26 of their last 33.

Colorado is easy pickings for most teams and Anaheim has done a good job taking care of business against weaker opposition. They’re 17-12 against opponents with losing records this season including 6-2 in their last 8 games against sub .500 opponents. Colorado is currently on a 2-13 run against opponents with wining records after starting the season 14-7 against teams above .500. Ducks have dominated head to head play in the series for several years–they’re 9-1 overall since 2008 including a perfect 5-0 in Denver. One of the pleasant things about being an NHL fan is that you typically get a decent effort from even losing teams on a nightly basis. Late season surges from teams that struggled in the first half of the season aren’t uncommon–maybe not to the level that New Jersey is playing at the moment but teams seldom ‘pack it in’ for the year before the season is over. That sure looks like what Colorado has done and watching their former goaltender Craig Andersson play stellar hockey in Ottawa isn’t making them feel any better.

Bet Anaheim Ducks -130 over Colorado Avalanche