Varlamov vs. Lou
A Northwest Division clash is on tap Tuesday night when the suddenly hot Colorado Avalanche visit the Vancouver Canucks.
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE CANUCKS BLOG IN OUR CLUBHOUSE TODAY AT NWSB!
Colorado Avalanche at Vancouver Canucks (15-10-1)
When: 10:00 PM ET, Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
Broadcast: ALT (HD), SNET-P (HD)
Avalanche vs. Canucks Betting Lines from Bovada.lv
Spread: Vancouver -1.5 (+140)
Moneyline: Colorado +185: Vancouver -205
Over/Under: 5.5 goals
*NHL ATS Matchup Report*
Colorado has won three straight games to hit the .500 mark while the Canucks have won 6 of 7 games to get to within six points of Northwest leading Minnesota.
This game features the Avs third best power play against the league’s number one power play unit in Vancouver.
The Colorado Avalanche are a much better team than the one Vancouver faced earlier in the season.
They have won three straight games culminating in an impressive 4-2 win over the previously scorching Detroit Red Wings on Sunday. Ryan O’Reilly scored twice in that game, giving him four goals and three assists over his last three games.
He’s Hot while Matt Duchene is not – just three assists in his last six games.
The biggest reason for the Avalanche turnaround is the play of Seymon Varlamov who has allowed two goals or fewer in six consecutive starts, going 4-2-0 with a 1.82 GAA over that span.
The Canucks shook off an uncharacteristically poor game against Nashville and dominated the Calgary Flames on Sunday in Roberto Luongo’s first start in quite some time.
Avalanche vs. Canucks Betting Odds & Handicapping Preview
Lou should get the start after a 21 save win on Sunday. Before his injury Luongo was coming around but was still just 6-5-1 start with a 3.14 GAA.
However Roberto is 6-0-2 with a 2.58 GAA in his last eight starts versus Colorado.
The Vancouver offense is clicking along making the Canucks the most prolific scoring team in the league once again.
The top line of the Sedins and Alex Burrows continues its fine play and the second line with Ryan Kesler, Chris Higgins and David Booth are becoming one of the best second units in the game.
Suffice to say, scoring won’t be a problem.
Dave’s Free Canucks Betting Predictions
The Canucks have gone 10-0-2 in the last 12 games in the series between the two teams dating back to November 2009. They have outscored the Avalanche 48-24 during that span.
The Colorado Avalanche are playing their best hockey of the season as Sunday’s win over another of the NHL’s elite, Detroit proves.
But looking at the numbers, Vancouver has been the Avs kryptonite over the past few seasons.
The Canucks are too good, too deep and too motivated on home ice to be denied on Tuesday night.
It may be close but the Canucks are clearly the class in this matchup.
Pick: Vancouver Canucks -205
Here are a few interesting Props for Tuesday`s game:
Matt Duchene Points
Line = 0.5 Over (1.55) | Under (1.70)
Shane O’Brien Penalty Minutes
Line = 0.5 Over (1.45) | Under (1.80)
Total Power Play Goals
Line = 1.5 Over (1.40) | Under (1.85)
Daniel Sedin Points
Line = 1.5 Over (1.75) | Under (1.50)
Ryan Kesler Shots on Goal
Line = 3.5 Over (1.55) | Under (1.70)
Alex Burrows Goals
Line = 0.5 Over (1.80) | Under (1.45)
Colorado First Period Goals
Line = 0.5 Over (1.75) | Under (1.50)
Chris Higgins Points
Line = 0.5 Over (1.50) | Under (1.75)