Game Overview
Anyone who follows the Breeder’s Cup betting knows that a change in the field can affect the outcome of the race. The Phoenix Coyotes were built on the goaltending of Ilya Bryzgalov for many years. The Coyotes’ experienced its most successful seasons with Bryzgalov between the pipes. During the off-season, the Coyotes allowed Bryzgalov to sign with the Philadelphia Flyers officially ending an era inPhoenix. In his place, the Coyotes signed Tampa Bay Lightning backup goalie Mike Smith. Smith always had potential, and he has given the Coyotes’ fans a reason to be hopeful with a strong start to the season. But it will be the long-term results thatPhoenix fans will really be interested in as Bryzgalov usually got hot in the second-half of the season.
The Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers are two very unlikely conference leaders for the Western Conference. But both teams have the price per head bookie experts scrambling to re-configure the odds for this season. Where the Avalanche went right is when it put faith in former Washington Capitals goalie Semyon Varlamov. When you put Varlamov’s stats through the bookie software, you get the profile of an under-achieving goaltender. Many thought that the Capitals were the problem and not Varlamov. Now that Varlamov has gotten off to a great start inColorado, fans are starting to see that he is a quality goalie that can lead a team to the playoffs.
Phoenix Coyotes
The problem with the Coyotes is that it cannot maintain a roster for a full season. Two seasons ago, the Coyotes built a roster after the trade deadline that rocketed to a top playoff spot in the Western Conference. But by the time the off-season was over, the team was dismantled. A 5 dimes review of the new Coyotes’ roster shows more changes with the most notable being the loss of Bryzgalov. The Phoenix Coyotes are riding a two-game winning streak that puts them in a good position to win this game against the Avalanche. ButPhoenix is still having problems scoring goals in critical situations, and that will hurt againstColorado.
Colorado Avalanche
The NHL fans inColorado are a little frustrated because the Avalanche cannot seem to win at home. But the Avalanche offer a good balance of timely scoring and solid goaltending that should be the key to winning at home or on the road. The Avalanche seems to play with more of a sense of urgency when it plays on the road, which results in better defensive play. At home,Colorado really opens up its game and leaves Varlamov alone in the defensive end of the ice. If the Avalanche can learn to clamp down a bit on its defensive zone play at home, then it could start pushing towards the top of the Western Conference.
The Bottom Line
The Avalanche will start tightening up its play at home which will result in less offensive chances for the opposition. The Coyotes are a good road team that is still trying to figure out how to play together as a team. This will game will develop slowly, but it should go the way of the Avalanche.
Pick: Colorado Avalanche
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