Colorado Avalanche vs Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Picks

Colorado has finally hit a cold patch losing four of its last five games. Toronto is even colder with losses in five of its past six games, including the last three. Something has to give here. And that something is defense. Don't expect much of it with these two offensive-oriented teams desperate for a victory. The Avalanche lead the NHL in goals per game at 4.0 and also fire the most shots on net. The Maple Leafs are giving up an average of 4.8 goals a game during their past six games. Toronto ranks seventh in scoring at 3.3 goals a game. The Maple Leafs also are the top face-off team, important since they have home ice here. The Avalanche are surrendering an average of 4.6 goals a game during their past five games. Take the OVER.

Colorado has won 17 straight home games. But the Avalanche face one of their biggest home challenges with this matchup against the hot Maple Leafs. The high plus price on Toronto makes this worth taking a shot at. The Maple Leafs have won three straight and seven of their last nine, with the two losses coming in overtime. Toronto's leading scorer, William Nylander, is back after missing six games, and Auston Matthews has been on a scoring binge with seven goals and five assists in his last nine games. Colorado has opened its homestand with easy victories against Columbus and Ottawa. Prior to that, the Avalanche had lost consecutive road games to the Lightning and Panthers. Colorado is the best team in the NHL, but not invincible. This is especially so since the Avalanche will be missing their captain, Gabriel Landeskog, and top-line defenseman Devon Toews. Both are out with upper-body injuries. Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood is also sidelined with a lower-body injury. Take the Maple Leafs.

Colorado's defense is 13th in the league in goals given up (2.87 per game) and 14th in penalty killing. The Avalanche is on a 23-17-1 run UNDER the total, including 4-2-1 UNDER on the road. Toronto's defense is seventh in save percentage (.907). They've allowed nine goals in the first three games of this four-game homestand, and Joseph Woll is confirmed tonight. Woll was stellar in Monday's win over the Flames, and he is 23-12 on the season with a 2.75 GAA. He'll be tested tonight, but I like Colorado/Toronto UNDER the total. 

Toronto's defense is 12th in goals given up (2.89 per game) and seventh in save percentage (.908). The Maple Leafs play their sixth road game over the last eight contests, with the offense looking road-weary, tallying two goals in each of the previous two contests. Colorado's defense is 16th in goals allowed and 14th in penalty killing. They've won four in a row, allowing seven goals. Colorado is on a 14-9-1 run UNDER the total. Take Toronto/Colorado UNDER the total.