NHL: Back to the well with the Avalanche

After a very light slate last night, the NHL returns with a few matinees to get us through Columbus Day.

Last night's action: Well, it was really Saturday night's action, as the lone game last night was a pass. On Saturday, the Avalanche failed to make it two-for-two in a loss to the Devils. The New York Islanders put together a solid offensive display in a win over the Sabres, and the Hurricanes, despite giving up a last-second game-tying goal, prevailed over the Wild in a shootout.

Tonight's slate:

Note: This post will be updated with the night games

Once again, the Colorado Avalanche are undervalued as they travel to Boston to take on the Patrice Bergeron-less Bruins. We can expect Boston to generate most of the scoring chances and have the ice tilted toward the Avs goal, but if Semyon Varlamov can put in a good shift, the Avs should be able to hang around. Grab the Avs at this number.

The matinee between St. Louis and the Islanders doesn't offer much, so we'll move on.

The Sabres return home and host the New Jersey Devils for a 3 p.m. start in Western New York. It's a good spot to back Buffalo, who should win this fixture 60 percent of the time, which means their implied probability should price them at -150. Roll with Buffalo.

Not only is it kind of jarring to see Toronto as a -150 favorite hosting the Chicago Blackhawks, but it's also a fair price. That's the difference a couple of years makes in the NHL. There's no reason to get involved in this one.

Alex Ovechkin already has seven goals this season, and he brings his blood-and-thunder show to Tampa for a game between two teams that could end up being division winners. There's no real edge in the number here, so pass.

We're less than a week into the season and I already wish I could quit Winnipeg. The Jets take on the Oilers on the road, and there's an edge on Winnipeg, again. And we will hope their goaltending can actually do their job, again. And we will have the booze nearby, again. Go Jets.

The night concludes with the Ducks hosting the Flames. There's not much in this one, but it could be Jaromir Jagr's Calgary debut — so that's fun.

(Season to date: 6-5, +2.97u)

[Photo: Adam Hunger, USA Today Sports]

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