NHL Tonight Colorado vs. St. Louis The market hasn't really moved in this game---although I think I understand why. St. Louis is a favourite of -120. I think the impression is that the Blues are the superior team ( agreed by the way) but happen to be in not a great spot. Colorado is viewed as an also ran with a key injury to Landeskog and a key holdout in O'Reilly. Not a lot of confidence in them. If St. Louis wasn't in a bad spot they'd be -140 so they get knocked down to -120.
I'll argue both points. The more significant point is just how bad this schedule is for St. Louis. They were at home last night and we know that they didn't arrive in St. Louis until 6:30 yesterday morning the day of game returning from Vancouver. They had spent that week on the Canadian west coast. Just not that easy a road trip. Now they fly to Denver from St. Louis likely late last night---I don't know that information but it is a minimum 3rd game in 4 nights and a 5th game in 7 nights overall back to Canada.
That is as bad a schedule as it gets almost in any sport.
Colorado isn't any powerhouse but they are relatively rested and at home. They certainly can compete with St. Lous on a good night on their home ice and given this situation they should really be at least a PK IMO. They don't have a lot of points and they're going to be aware of St. Louis's situation they absolutely have to jump all over this. Of course I don't know if they will but at least I feel there is no room for complacency with their standing right now. They beat Nashville the other night.
One factor is that Halak returns to the net for St. Louis and he should be more rested. He's a top goalie and the Avs don't really have one. They maintain an edge in goal most likely but Halak has a risk of being rusty since he's coming off injury. I can't give him full points.
There is no excuse here for Colorado not to outright win this game as a dog in their own building. They don't have the better team and they don't have the better goaltending but I would expect them to win this game. I think their power ratings are high enough to take advantage of the scheduling mismatch.
