COLORADO AVALANCHE @ MINNESOTA WILD
Ice Hockey : North America : NHL
Monday, December 26th, 2011, 6:00PM US
(11:00PM GMT)

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PREVIEW

I reckon the little Christmas break will have helped Minnesota, who have skidding since their amazing start to the season, which saw them sitting atop the Western Conference. Since then Minnesota have lost 6 straight games, and while Colorado have won 4 straight, it is important to take into account the location of this game.

Colorado might have won 4 straight, but all those wins came at home. Their current away run has seen them drop 9 of their last 10, and their last away win came after a shootout with Chicago more than 2 months ago!

Minnesota have struggled without players like Mikko Koivu and Devin Setoguchi who have been dealing with bugs. The Wild have failed to score many goals in this 6 game losing streak, and the powerplay has proved fruitless too. That should change tonight as Minnesota have fared well against the Avalanche in recent games. Minnesota have won 5 of the last 6 meetings, including 4 straight.

I read that Minnesota should have Mikko Koivo back in the team tonight, which helps. Backstrom should put in a good performance too between the pipes, as the team have allowed less goals per game at home than away. Goals will not come easily for Colorado tonight.

BETTING VERDICT

The last 2 times these two met, it finished 1-0 to Minnesota in mid November. There is value in playing Under 5 goals tonight, which is priced at a huge 2.10 over at Pinnacle.

I feel Minnesota will narrowly win this one in regulation, which should be taken.

The Pick :

Minnesota Wild

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take the Minnesota Wild -0.5 (Regulation) @ 2.23 (Pinnacle)