Colorado Avalanche vs Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver's playoff hopes are dead, but the team still has fight, demonstrated two nights ago in Dallas when they became the first team to overcome a three-goal deficit in the final minute of a game in NHL history. Thatcher Demko made 23 saves and he is expected to start tonight. Demko is 10-8-3 with a 2.90 goals-against average. The Avalanche clinched third place in the Central Division with a 3-2 win in a shootout against Vegas. That could mean a letdown situation as Colorado almost certainly can't catch Dallas in the final days of the season. The Avalanche have totaled just one goal in the two meetings in 2024-25. Take the Canucks.

Colorado is clicking winning three of four. They come off two straight shutout wins over St. Louis (5-0) and Philadelphia (2-0). The offense is ninth in the NHL in scoring (3.26 goals per game) and eighth in shooting percentage, while the defense is 12th in penalty killing. Vancouver is on a 7-15 slide after a 3-2 loss at home to Detroit as a -168 favorite. Vancouver's offense is 21st in scoring, while the defense is 22nd in goals surrendered and 31st in save percentage (.890). Play Colorado. 

Colorado is 2-0 against the Canucks this season following a 3-1 victory on Feb. 20 when Alexandar Georgiev stopped 24 of 25 shots for the Avalanche. He is expected to be between the pipes tonight with a 33-15-3 record and a 2.85 goals-against average. Casey DeSmith is confirmed for Vancouver as Thatcher Demko is injured and is likely to be out for several weeks. DeSmith is 8-4-5 with a 2.85 goals-against average and an .898 save percentage. The Avalanche have won four in a row while allowing a total of only five goals, including a 6-2 victory over Calgary on Tuesday night. Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and an assist to extend his goal streak to 13 games and the Avs won their sixth in seven games. Justus Annunen had 27 saves for Colorado so Georgiev won't be playing a back-to-back. Take the Avalanche.

Vancouver has lost two in a row and four of seven. They got blasted 10-7 yesterday in Minnesota, and play the second of a back-to-back on the road here at one of the league's toughest venues. The Canucks have lost the last two meetings versus Colorado, 5-2 and 4-1. Colorado has the best home record (21-5-0) in the NHL. They're rested after a 4-3 victory at home over Arizona two days ago and have scored 13 goals over the last three contests. Colorado is 21-5 at home when the total is 6 or higher, plus 18-2 at home against defenses that allow 29.5+ shots on goal per game. Play Colorado.