The set-up: Colorado has all the momentum here. It also now has a two point lead for the final wild card spot in the West over these very Coyotes. Arizona had lost five in a row before a 1-0 win over Chicago on Tuesday. Colorado though has gone 5-0-1 over its last six after a win over Vegas on Wednesday. Clearly this is a big game for both teams and I simply can't understate how important I think that the home ice advantage is. The Coyotes offense has been completely anemic of late and I have a hard time seeing them just "flipping a switch" here (note that Arizona has scored just seven times over its last six games.) The Avs got further good news today with the expected return of captain Gabriel Landeskog.

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but the Coyotes are just 9-20 in their last 29 when playing on two days rest, while the Avalanche are 6-2 in their last eight home games. For all the reasons listed above, lay the price.

Colorado Avalanche

10* play