| Free NHL Pick: Anaheim Ducks at Colorado Avalanche |
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| Written by Steve Hastings | |||||||
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Thursday, 06 March 2008
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 The Colorado Avalanche remain in the playoff hunt despite battling numerous injuries throughout the season as they get ready to battle the Anaheim Ducks. BetOnline.com has the Colorado Avalance –125 odds against the Anaheim Ducks +1-5 with a over/under set at 5 goals.As of Tuesday, Colorado was clinging to eighth place in the Western Conference, but Nashville and Phoenix are in close pursuit. Ryan Smyth and Marek Svatos are the most recent Avs to suffer serious injuries. Smyth, who had already missed time this year, was carted off the ice on a stretcher on Saturday after suffering a concussion and shoulder injury. Svatos, the team's leading goal scorer, injured his knee in the same game. Colorado has won three straight and four of five, though, and Peter Forsberg could return to the line-up this week after coming out of retirement. Captain Joe Sakic also recently came back from injury and has three points in four games since then. The Ducks will pose a considerable challenge for Colorado, injury-ravaged or otherwise. Anaheim has won six games in a row and 11 of 12 and looks like the favorite to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. Goalie J.S. Giguere has won his past five starts, posting a sterling 1.37 goals against average and .940 save percentage in that span. Anaheim is among league leaders in fewest goals allowed this season and has surrendered more than two goals in a game only twice during its last 12 games. The Ducks don't have a ton of offense, but they don't really need it. The Ducks have beaten Colorado three times this season, with two of those wins coming during their recent hot streak. Despite the mini winning streak, the Avalanche have too many injuries to contend with to keep up with the Ducks. Get your Free NHL Pick in Now! Anaheim at Colorado, Thursday @ 9:00 p.m. ET Free NHL Pick: Anaheim It's not too late to get into the NHL betting action. Visit BetOnline.com's world-renowned sportsbook today!                        |
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