[sc:NHL250 ]It’s almost playoff time and the Colorado Avalanche will need all the wins they can get in their remaining nine regular-season games. One of which includes an intriguing encounter with the Philadelphia Flyers this Thursday night at the Pepsi Center, wherein Colorado has won three of its last four games there. Can the Avalanche take advantage of the loud cheers from their home crowd? Or will the Flyers get the huge road victory?
Read on below for a better look at this showdown. And if you’re up for some NBA action as well, check out our preview of the Los Angeles Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Philadelphia Flyers vs. Colorado Avalanche Preview
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
When: Thursday, March 24, 2016, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Philadelphia Flyers at Colorado Avalanche – view all NHL lines
TV Broadcast(s): CSP, ALT
Betting on the Philadelphia Flyers (35-24-13)
[sc:NHL250 ]After a strong 4-1 triumph over the Islanders, the Philadelphia Flyers couldn’t sustain their momentum as they fell short to Columbus on Tuesday night, 3-2.
It was indeed a pretty tough loss to swallow for the Flyers, who held the lead for the most part of the game. But nevertheless, they ought to keep moving forward and focus on their next game against the dangerous Colorado Avalanche.
Key to their success will ultimately depend on how well the Flyers can deliver the goods on offense. They have only managed to tally four goals in their last three games. And needless to say, the onus is on Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds to put an end to this offensive struggle.
Giroux finished with a goal during the loss to the Blue Jackets and continues to lead Philadelphia in points (61) and assists (41) this season. Simmonds, meanwhile, came out empty in the same game, but still owns a team-high of 25 goals.
As for the defense, Steve Mason should be able to hold his ground between the pipes. He negated 53-of-55 shots against Columbus and carries an 18-16-8 record along with a .916 SV%. Mason, however, is only 6-7-3 with a 3.05 GAA across 16 career games opposite the Avs.
Philadelphia is 5-5 SU and 3-5-2 OU in its last 10 road games. Also, the Flyers are currently just two points behind the Islanders for the No. 1 spot in the Eastern Conference.
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Betting on the Colorado Avalanche (38-31-4)
Here come the Avs! They head into this game having won five of their previous six games and as winners of their last three. But Colorado will try to continue this run again without two of their top scorers in Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon who are both expected two more games due to knee problems.
That being said, the pressure is on the pair of Gabriel Landeskog and Tyson Barrie to lead the charge for the Avalanche. Both have 95 points (31 goals and 64 assists) combined this season and Landeskog, in particular, should have a better chance in providing the Philadelphia Flyers a headache in this one.
Landeskog, who has accumulated just five points through six career games opposite the Flyers, has managed to score three goals along with two assists in his previous five games. He’s also played well during home games this season, garnering a total of 30 points (12 goals and 18 assists) thus far.
Meanwhile, minding the net for the Avalanche is the always-reliable Semyon Varlamov. He made 30 saves on 33 shots in the shootout win over the Calgary last week. And on the season, Varlamov holds a 26-18-3 record along with a 2.66 GAA and .917 SV%.
Colorado is 5-5 SU and 5-4-1 OU in its last 10 games at home. Moreover, a win here will help them strengthen their hold of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Writer’s Prediction
Colorado wins, 3-1.
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