Wednesday's NHL Spotlight Game

Wednesday's NHL Spotlight Game

By Rich Carlson
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Game of the Day: Dallas Stars (23-14-0) at Colorado Avalanche (18-15-2), 9 p.m. ET

Current WagerWeb.com Odds: Spread Money Line Total Goals
Dallas +1 1/2 -240 +120 Over 5 1/2 +110
Colorado -1 1/2 +200 -140 Under 5 1/2 -130

The Dallas Stars will travel to the Pepsi Center in Denver on Wednesday evening to face the Colorado Avalanche. The Stars have solid 23-14-0 record but are in third place in the Pacific Division behind the red-hot Anaheim Ducks. The Avalanche have posted a 18-15-2 record and are in first place in the Northwest Division, where the first-place team and last-place team are only separated by a point.

The Stars possess the league’s third-ranked defensive unit (2.22 goals allowed per game), which is anchored by G Marty Turco. Turco ranks among the league leaders with 18 victories (3rd in NHL), a 2.12 goals against average (3rd in NHL) and four shutouts (3rd in NHL). With an offense that only averages 2.54 goals per game, the Stars want to jump out early on their opponents and let their defense carry them home. This season the Stars are 15-4 when scoring first, 13-1 when leading after one period and 16-2 when leading after two periods.

Led by C Joe Sakic (15 goals, 24 assists) and LW Andrew Brunette (11 goals, 19 assists) the Avalanche have won four straight home games and are 6-2 in their last 8 games. The Avalanche have utilized a goaltending tandem of Jose Theodore (9-9, 2.96 goals against average, .903 save percentage) and Peter Budaj (9-6, 2.53 goals against average, .908 save percentage). If the Avalanche are to make a run into the playoffs, they need to settle on a No. 1 goaltender and give him the majority of the playing time.

Dallas and Colorado have played twice this season (Oct. 4: Dallas 3-2, Nov. 20: Dallas 5-4).

Injury report
Dallas: C Mike Modano (hip flexor) is listed as doubtful for tonight’s game; LW Steve Ott (ankle) is on injured reserve and will be out until late December.

Colorado: C Steve Moore (concussion) is on injured reserve and will be out indefinitely; D Jordan Leopold (groin) is on injured reserve and will be out until at least late January; RW Marek Svatos (groin) will be out until at least late December; LW Brad May (shoulder) is on injured reserve and will be out until at least late January.

Key betting information
*- Dallas is 5-5-0 in its last 10 games and has an 11-9-0 road record
*-Colorado is 6-4-0 in its last 10 games and has a 10-7-1 home record
*-Dallas’ No. 23-ranked offense (2.54 goals per game) vs. Colorado’s No. 14-ranked defense (2.83 goals allowed average)
*-Colorado’s No. 5-ranked offense (3.20 goals per game) vs. Dallas’ No. 3-ranked defense (2.22 goals allowed average)
*-Dallas’ No. 23-ranked power play (15.5% scored) vs. Colorado’s No. 17-ranked penalty-killing unit (82.3% success)
*-Colorado’s No. 8-ranked power play (18.6% scored) vs. Dallas’ No. 7-ranked penalty-killing unit (86.2% success)

News & notes
New York Islanders G Rick DiPietro recorded his third straight home shutout in the Islanders' 2-0 victory over the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.

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