Colorado Avalanche vs Edmonton Oilers Betting Picks

Both teams are dealing with several injuries, and even Colorado's coach, Jared Bednar, was hit in the face with a puck on Saturday and will miss tonight's game. Edmonton has been without Leon Draisaitl since March 15, Jason Dickinson is day-to-day, and Zach Hyman has been out for four games. All this while the Oilers are battling for first place in the Pacific Division. The Avalanche haven't seemed to be bothered much, though, as they have won two of three, including an overtime loss to Vegas. They have clinched the best record in the league and haven't slowed down much since. Scott Wedgewood is 29-6-6 with a 2.10 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage for Colorado, which has won six road games in a row. The Avs have won six of seven road games against Edmonton. The Oilers were shut out 1-0 by Los Angeles on Saturday. Take the Avalanche.

This is only the second time all season there has been a total higher than 6.5 in a Colorado game. The Avalanche, after all, is the top defensive team in the NHL, yielding only 2.4 goals per game. They are also third in killing penalties. But since Edmonton is Colorado's opponent, the oddsmaker really can't go lower than 7 on this total. It is the eighth time in the Oilers' last 11 games with a 7 total. The OVER is 5-2-1 in these games, but this matchup should be different. Colorado is the best defensive team Edmonton has faced. The Oilers were held to only one goal when the two teams last met on Nov. 8. The Avalanche have allowed an average of just two goals per game over their past five games. Colorado, though, has scored three or fewer goals in five of its last nine games. Edmonton also shored up its defensive corps and penalty kill at the trade deadline. Let's stay ahead of the curve here. Take the UNDER. 

First-place Colorado is 4-1-3 on the road, tied for the best goal differential (+13) in the NHL. The offense is seventh in goals scored (3.57 per game), while the defense is second in penalty killing and third in goals allowed (2.50 per game). Edmonton is getting outscored on the season, with an offense that is 18th in goals scored and in shooting percentage. The Oilers are on a 4-8 run after losing two straight to St. Louis and Dallas. The defense is 14th in goals allowed (3.07 per game) and 28th in save percentage (.884). Play Colorado. 

Colorado's defense has improved, winning five out of seven. That includes shutout victories over St. Louis (5-0) and Philadelphia (2-0). Colorado is on a 15-8-1 run UNDER the total. Edmonton's defense is sixth in the NHL in goals allowed (2.70 per game). The Oilers are on a 6-3 run UNDER the total. Take Colorado/Edmonton UNDER the total.