Team records:<\/strong> Tonight, 10:00 p.m. ET Who could\u2019ve imagined that an Avs\/Flames contest in mid-January would be a key divisional battle? Colorado just won\u2019t go away. While the Avalanche aren\u2019t sizzling-hot anymore, they still mix in big wins with every loss. Last week, they took down the mighty Sabres on the road. Four different Colorado players have 13 or more goals this season and first-round pick Matt Duchene continues to blossom. Watch out for him tonight, as 12 of his 13 goals come on the road.<\/p>\n The Flames are playing good but not great hockey to start 2010, winning three of five, and they have to hope they\u2019re at their best for the rest of the month. Calgary\u2019s tough January still has Colorado, Pittsburgh, San Jose and Chicago ahead on the schedule. Bettors are likely tempted to pick Colorado, as the Avs are 3-0 against the Flames this season. But a big reason why Colorado handled Calgary was Craig Anderson\u2019s stellar play in goal. He\u2019s been human of late, posting a goals against average above 3.00 in November and December and a pedestrian 2.61 mark this month. I like the Flames to exact some revenge.<\/p>\n NHL Betting Trends:<\/strong><\/p>\n Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Calgary
\nColorado: 25-15-6
\nCalgary: 26-14-5<\/p>\n
\nSportsbook odds: Avalanche +145, Flames -165<\/p>\n![\"Sports](\"http:\/\/www.bodogaffiliate.com\/resources\/ca-banners\/sportsbook\/square\/250x250\/250x250h-sportsbook.gif\")
Though they\u2019re not filling the net the way they did last season, they\u2019re getting enough offense from Jarome Iginla and Rene Bourque to support Miikka Kiprusoff. It seems every time we check in with Kipper, his numbers have improved; he now has a 2.16 goals against average and phenomenal .930 save percentage on the year. So much for being over the hill.<\/p>\n
\nThe total has gone UNDER in 8 of Colorado’s last 9 games when playing on the road against Calgary
\nThe total has gone UNDER in 6 of Colorado’s last 8 games when playing Calgary
\nColorado is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
\nThe total has gone UNDER in 8 of Calgary’s last 9 games when playing at home against Colorado
\nThe total has gone UNDER in 5 of Calgary’s last 6 games at home
\nThe total has gone UNDER in 6 of Calgary’s last 8 games
\nCalgary is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games<\/p>\n