The set-up: The Colorado Avalanche may currently be seventh in the seven-team Central Division but that hardly tells the whole story. The Avalanche finished seventh in the Central last season but with just 48 points, 21 less than the next-worst team. However, while still in seventh place this season, the Avs are 23-16-3, giving them 49 points with just about half the season to go! Colorado is in the midst of a stretch during which it plays nine of 10 at home, and will take the ice tonight against the Anaheim Ducks, looking to extend their winning streak to seven games.The 20-15-9 Ducks have 49 points, which leaves them fifth in the eight-team Pacific Division. The Ducks will be wrapping up their month-opening five-game road trip during which they are 2-1-1, after Saturday's 4-2 triumph at Los Angeles.

Anaheim: The Ducks will be without iron man Andrew Cogliano in this contest, as the veteran left wing received a two-game suspension for an interference infraction against the Kings' Adrian Kempe. Cogliano, who has not missed a contest since making his NHL debut with Edmonton on Oct. 4, 2007, will have his streak of 830 consecutive games played - the fourth-longest run in league history - come to a halt. Wth Cogliano out, newcomer J.T. Brown could make his debut for Anaheim on Monday. The 27-year-old right wing was claimed off waivers on Sunday from Tampa Bay, with which he registered one goal and three assists in 24 games this season. Ondrej Kase recorded his second career two-goal performance on Saturday to tie Jakob Silfverberg (11) for second on the team in tallies and added an assist for his first three-point effort in the NHL. Center Rickard Rakell leads the team in goals (15) and points (32). Anaheim captain, center Ryan Getzlaf, has collected 18 points over his last 13 contests, giving him 25 points on the season (he is one assist shy of 600 for his career).

Colorado: The Avs lost 3-1 at home to Arizona back on Dec. 27 but have followed with six straight victories, the first five at home and a sixth this Saturday 4-1 at Dallas. Rookie Alexander Kerfoot recorded a goal and an assist in the win, giving him four points in his last two contests. All-Star Nathan MacKinnon, who leads the team with 53 points, had his five-game assist streak halted Saturday but scored a goal to give him points in six consecutive contests. The 22-year-old center has collected four tallies and nine assists during the run. Colorado is winning despite top goaltender Semyon Varlamov being sidelined with a groin injury that will keep him out until the All-Star break or longer. Jonathan Bernier has filled in admirably and has won a career high-tying five straight decisions while filling in for the injured Varlamov (Bernier is 10-7-1 with a 2.77 GAA & .911 SP on the season).

The pick: Anaheim got a boost for Saturday's 4-2 win over Los Angeles with the return of third-line forward Ondrej Kase. He had three points against the Kings and gives the Ducks their full complement of forwards starting the second half of the season. Kase, who returned Saturday from a battle with the flu, has 11 goals and seven assists already after only having five goals and 10 assists all of last year. The Ducks may need everyone to stop the resurgent Avalanche, whose six-game inning streak is their longest since a six-game run from March 25-April 5, 2014. The Ducks are a solid road team and are a small favorite against the red-hot Avs for a reason. Make Anaheim a 10* play.