posted February 27, 2008 at 15:01 in NHL Free Picks

Colorado Avalanche (32-26-6) vs. Vancouver Canucks (32-22-8)

Wednesday, February 27th --- GM Place, Vancouver --- 10:00pm EST

NHL Betting Line: Vancouver -160

Yesterday I blasted Colorado for its lack of drive, control and scoring ability. They responded in full by outlasting Calgary in the Saddledome in a 3-2 victory. That makes them just 2-6 SU in their past eight games, but with the acquisition of defenseman Adam Foote, and a roster at full health Colorado could very well become a betting man’s best friend before the oddsmakers catch up to them.

They have a lot to prove against Vancouver, but winning their last two meeting by a total score of 9-3 should say quite a bit. Milan “Hey Duke!” Hejduk broke out of his scoring slump by notching the go-ahead goal last night. If the eight-year veteran can return to his scoring panache, the Avs will be as deadly as ever. In 59 games, Hejduk is second on the team with 41 points.

Paul Statsny, the future in the Rocky Mountains, has an astounding 52 points in just 49 outings this year and is finally getting the boost he needs. Joe Sakic was nearly a point-per-game guy before his injury. Now that he is back at full health, flanked by Ryan Smyth who has also returned, the Avs will be dangerous. With Foote holding down the blue-line, this team has a beautiful blend of young scoring talent with Statsny, Wojtek “Best Name Ever” Wolski, Marek Svatos and Tyler Arnason to compliment the veteran leadership of Foote, Sakic and Smyth. Foote, especially, fills a deep void at the blue-line for the Snowy Peaks, who have been leaning on John-Michael Liles all season.

Colorado is averaging 2.73 goals per game on 28.75 shots per game. If they want to prove that they can be a scoring dynamo again, there’s no better way than against a team like Vancouver. The Canucks are 5-1 SU in their past 6 games and are 15-7 SU in their past 22 home games. Roberto Luongo has steadied the Nucks to 2.53 goals against, allowing their yo-yo offense to disappear at time without catastrophe ensuing.

Vancouver has a ton of momentum after edging Nashville last week and plowing through an injury-riddled Detroit squad that is without three of its top defenseman. Their betting backers may love the Canucks at home, but they have faired poorly against division rivals in their own building not named the Edmonton Oilers.

This is a statement game for both teams. Colorado needs to prove that they are a scoring dynamo once more, and have all the talent they need. If they can gun a few past Roberto Luongo en route to victory, the addition of Foppa to the team (that’s Peter Forsberg for all you hockey plebeians) will make them one of the most frightening Western Conference teams in the league. Vancouver has to prove that this recent winning streak isn’t a fluke. But I’m willing to bet that it is.

NHL Free Pick: Colorado +140

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