PREMIUM
Rogers' ICE BREAKER >> 8-4-1 NHL Run!
(NHL) Colorado vs. Philadelphia,
Money Line: -163.00 Philadelphia (Home)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -163.00 Philadelphia (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Colorado Avalanche finished last in just about very category last season, including the most important one, points. Colorado's 48 points were 21 fewer than the NHL's second-worst team. However, the 7-5-0 Avalanche have 14 points in the early going of the current season, which puts them in the conversation for a possible playoff berth.
The Avalanche play the opener of what will be just a two-game road trip tonight, against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers won 2-0 at St. Louis on Thursday, giving them a 7-6-1 (15 points) start to the season. The Flyers had 88 points last season, 40 more than the Avalanche, but also missed the postseason.
Colorado: Goalie Semyon Varlamov allowed seven goal on just 21 shots in a 7-0 loss in Las Vegas back on Oct. 20 but after not playing in Colorado's win the next night over Chicago, set an Avalanche record for regular-season saves with a career-high 57 in his team's 5-3 win over Carolina on Thursday. "I feel not bad, actually," the 29-year-old told reporters. "Sometimes you face 30 shots and you're exhausted after the game. You never know how your body is reacting." Nathan MacKinnon was the top overall pick of the 2013 draft and looks to be finding a groove. He has five points (two goals, three assists) in his past two games, after mustering just one point (a goal) in his previous six. The Avalanche have been led offensively by Mikko Rantanen (four goals, 11 points), Nathan MacKinnon (three goals, 10 points) and Tyson Barrie (two goals, 10 points). They currently own the third spot in the Central Division.
Philadelphia; Captain Claude Giroux scored and set up a goal in the team's 2-0 win over St. Louis on Thursday. He has collected 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in his past 10 games, while fellow forward Sean Couturier boasts 14 (eight goals, six assists) of his team-leading 17 points in that same stretch. Michal Neuvirth turned aside all 33 shots he faced versus the Blues as he, like Varlamov, rebounded from an abysmal performance (five goals) in his previous outing. He has yielded two goals or fewer in four of his five starts this season. Neuvirth has served as someone else's backup fo r most of his 10-year NHL career but he is expected to make his second consecutive start on Saturday night when the Colorado Avalanche visit the Wells Fargo Center. Neuvirth is just 2-3-0 but owns a 1.83 GAA & .941 SP. He's outplayed Brian Elliott (5-3-1, 3.11, .892) in the first month of the season and it's possible he could convince head coach Dave Hakstol that he deserves more time between the pipes.
The pick: It's hard to imagine Varlamov matching his last outing (see above) and while Colorado is a surprising (shocking?) 5-1-0 at home, the Avalanche are 2-4-0 on the road, getting outscored 3.33-to-1.83 GPG. Make Philly an 8* play.
The Avalanche play the opener of what will be just a two-game road trip tonight, against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers won 2-0 at St. Louis on Thursday, giving them a 7-6-1 (15 points) start to the season. The Flyers had 88 points last season, 40 more than the Avalanche, but also missed the postseason.
Colorado: Goalie Semyon Varlamov allowed seven goal on just 21 shots in a 7-0 loss in Las Vegas back on Oct. 20 but after not playing in Colorado's win the next night over Chicago, set an Avalanche record for regular-season saves with a career-high 57 in his team's 5-3 win over Carolina on Thursday. "I feel not bad, actually," the 29-year-old told reporters. "Sometimes you face 30 shots and you're exhausted after the game. You never know how your body is reacting." Nathan MacKinnon was the top overall pick of the 2013 draft and looks to be finding a groove. He has five points (two goals, three assists) in his past two games, after mustering just one point (a goal) in his previous six. The Avalanche have been led offensively by Mikko Rantanen (four goals, 11 points), Nathan MacKinnon (three goals, 10 points) and Tyson Barrie (two goals, 10 points). They currently own the third spot in the Central Division.
Philadelphia; Captain Claude Giroux scored and set up a goal in the team's 2-0 win over St. Louis on Thursday. He has collected 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in his past 10 games, while fellow forward Sean Couturier boasts 14 (eight goals, six assists) of his team-leading 17 points in that same stretch. Michal Neuvirth turned aside all 33 shots he faced versus the Blues as he, like Varlamov, rebounded from an abysmal performance (five goals) in his previous outing. He has yielded two goals or fewer in four of his five starts this season. Neuvirth has served as someone else's backup fo r most of his 10-year NHL career but he is expected to make his second consecutive start on Saturday night when the Colorado Avalanche visit the Wells Fargo Center. Neuvirth is just 2-3-0 but owns a 1.83 GAA & .941 SP. He's outplayed Brian Elliott (5-3-1, 3.11, .892) in the first month of the season and it's possible he could convince head coach Dave Hakstol that he deserves more time between the pipes.
The pick: It's hard to imagine Varlamov matching his last outing (see above) and while Colorado is a surprising (shocking?) 5-1-0 at home, the Avalanche are 2-4-0 on the road, getting outscored 3.33-to-1.83 GPG. Make Philly an 8* play.
