Columbus at Colorado

Colorado has five more wins and 11 more points than any other team in the NHL - and the Avalanche is being priced that way. This sets up a value play on Columbus. The Blue Jackets are in desperation mode, eight points behind the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Columbus has been playing better, going 4-4 in its last eight games, with two of the losses in this span coming by one goal. Blue Jackets defensemen have scored 34 goals this season. That is the most in the NHL. Colorado just rolled past Ottawa, 8-2, two days ago, and has a far more marquee game on deck, hosting Toronto following this game. Colorado defeated Columbus in October in the first meeting of the season. However, the Blue Jackets had defeated the Avalanche in the previous two games. The Blue Jackets won those two games by a 10-5 margin. So they will have some confidence entering this matchup. Take the Blue Jackets.