11/18 NHL Preview: Colorado at Philadelphia
Looking at this matchup for the Colorado Avalanche, it sets up quite well for the visiting team. The Avalanche come into this game well-rested, having had two days off after completing a four-game homestand, where they went 3-1 overall. However, they suffered a loss in their most recent outing, which could serve as extra motivation for Colorado to bounce back strong. Meanwhile, the Flyers, who have been on a hot streak with three straight wins, will be facing a much tougher challenge than they have in recent games. Despite their recent success, the Flyers have shown a tendency to struggle against higher-level competition, and that trend is likely to continue in this matchup.
One of the most significant factors in this game is the performance of Philadelphia’s goaltender, Aleksei Kolosov, who will be starting in net. Kolosov has had a rough start to the season, and to say that he has struggled would be a severe understatement. He currently holds an 0-3 record with a dismal 3.93 goals-against average. In his three starts, Kolosov has allowed 6, 4, and 3 goals, respectively. These numbers highlight his ongoing issues between the pipes, and against a potent offensive team like the Avalanche, this is likely to be a major issue for the Flyers. Colorado’s offensive firepower should be more than capable of exploiting Kolosov’s weaknesses, potentially lighting up the scoreboard.
This sets up for a situation where Colorado will have the opportunity to dominate offensively. As the line for the game has shifted from Colorado -180 to -195, the best value in this matchup might be betting on Colorado -125 in regulation. This means you’re betting that the Avalanche will win the game in the first 60 minutes, avoiding the need for overtime or a shootout. Given that only two of Colorado’s games so far this season have gone to overtime, it’s reasonable to expect that they will take care of business within regulation in this game as well.
On top of their offensive capabilities, the Avalanche come into this game with the advantage of being well-rested and focused. They will be motivated to get back on track after their recent loss, and they will likely take full advantage of the Flyers’ weaknesses. Colorado has been a strong team this season and is far superior to Philadelphia in terms of overall talent, especially on the offensive side of the puck.
Looking at how these teams match up, the Avalanche should have no trouble winning this game by a decisive margin. Philadelphia has had some success lately, but they have yet to face a team of Colorado’s caliber during this stretch. The Flyers’ winning streak could come to an abrupt end against a well-rested and motivated Avalanche squad, who are capable of controlling the game from start to finish.
In conclusion, the lean here is on Colorado -125 in regulation. With a struggling goaltender in Kolosov and an overall superior team in the Avalanche, Colorado should get the job done in regulation. The Flyers will likely find themselves overmatched in this contest, and Colorado’s depth and skill should ensure that they win this game comfortably within the 60 minutes of play.
LEAN: Colorado -125 in Regulation