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Weekly NHL Betting action sees the St. Louis Blues taking on the Colorado Avalanche December 23 at Pepsi Center. Cappers Picks provides free NHL handicapping tips all season long.
A Central Division clash takes place Tuesday night during a heavy night of NHL action when the last place Colorado Avalanche will try to build on a two game win streak.
Daily NHL Hockey Odds
St. Louis (21-9-1-2) at Colorado (12-13-6-2)
When: 8:00 PM ET, Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
Broadcast: NBCSN
St Louis Blues -1½ +200 PL -145
Colorado Avalanche +1½ -240 PL +131
NHL Over/Under Betting Odds: 5½
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Coming to town is the St. Louis Blues, who have dropped two straight games but still sit just three points behind the Chicago Blackhawks for top spot in the Division.
The Avs have been arguably the most disappointing teams in the NHL this season but could head into the Christmas break on a high with a win over their divisional foe.
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The St. Louis Blues continue to ice one of the more well balanced teams in the NHL – they score 2.94 goals per game and they surrender an average of just 2.39 per game. Despite losing two straight games the Blues had control in both and may have deserved a better fate.
There has been no shortage of offensive stars for the Blues as of late – Vladimir Tarasenko has five points in three games, Kevin Shattenkirk has nine points in seven games, Alex Pietrangelo has seven points in seven games, Alex Steen has six points in six games and Dmitri Jaskin has two points in his last two games.
The Blues can and likely will score some goals – the key is for them to keep the puck out.
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It is unclear as to who will start between the pipes for St. Louis – Martin Brodeur hasn’t been great – 2-2-0 with a 3.59 GAA and .882 save percentage in his last four games and Brian Elliot started the Blues last game – a 3-2 OT loss to the Sharks.
The Colorado Avalanche may be turning the corner on what has been a disappointing season so far. The Avs have gone 3-0-2 in their last five games and can thank backup goaltender Calvin Pickard for the recent surge.
The Avs as a team have been leaky defensively this year – they have allowed 3.00 goals per game – bottom third in the NHL.
But in the last five games rookie Calvin Pickard has been terrific – he has allowed just eight goals and in his last three games he has posted a 1.00 GAA and .973 save percentage.
Seymon Varlamov may return from injury and may be re-inserted as the starter. Varlamov has a disappointing 3.22 GAA this year with a .909 save percentage.
Whomever starts between the pipes for Colorado they will likely have to steal the game.
There are a number of Colorado players struggling to get the offense going – Nathan MacKinnon has just two points in nine games, Tyson Barrie has one point in seven games, Zach Redmond is pointless in four games and Daniele Briere hasn’t hit the score sheet in eight games.
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Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay continue to lead the way offensively – they each have three points in two games and Erik Johnson has three points in two games.
These three top Colorado’s Hot List – not a great sign with the Blues coming to town.
NHL Gambling Trends
• Over is 8-2-6 in STL last 16 overall.
• Over is 4-1-5 in STL last 10 road games.
• Over is 6-2-5 in STL last 13 vs. Central.
• COL are 2-10 in their last 12 vs. Central.
• STL are 9-24-4 in the last 37 meetings in Colorado.
The St. Louis Blues have won four straight games in Colorado – I expect more of the same Tuesday.
The Blues are just too deep and too well balanced to be denied in this one.
NHL Betting 4* Free Play
Add in the fact that the Avalanche are a sub-.500 team at home this year and this looks like a St. Louis win.
St. Louis Blues -145
Take the road team to continue their recent domination at the Pepsi Center.
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