Colorado at Montreal

Colorado has been and remains the best team in the NHL, but the Avalanche have shown some defensive slippage lately. They are just 2-5 in their last seven games. Colorado is surrendering an average of four goals per game during this period. The Avalanche just lost, 5-2, to Ottawa on the road last night. Reliable defenseman Devon Toews is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. These are two high-scoring teams. Montreal ranks fifth offensively with the eighth-best power play and 24th defensively. The Canadiens have been good for at least three goals in 19 of their last 24 games. Colorado is first in the NHL in scoring, averaging 3.9 goals per game. Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL in goals (38), is second in points (88), and fourth in assists (50). MacKinnon has averaged a point a game in 20 games against the Canadiens. The Avalanche defeated the Canadiens, 7-2, in Denver on Nov. 29 in the first meeting between the two teams this season. Take the OVER.