Via NHL.com

The Arizona Coyotes head to Ball Arena for a date with the defending champion Colorado Avalanche tonight. Puck-drop between the two Central Division teams is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. EST.

Arizona comes in having lost two in a row now but they have been playing much better in recent weeks. They lost in overtime to the Edmonton Oilers last game out but did fight hard against a tough Oilers attack. Now they face the Avalanche, who present their own set of issues. Arizona has gone 6-1-3 over their last 10 games so they seem to have figured something out. If they can generate scoring chances for themselves and keep the same defensive pressure they used on the Oilers, they may be able to sneak out a win tonight.

Colorado enters tonight having lost last game out to the Pittsburgh Penguins. They will likely want to re-start their winning streak and have fallen down to third place within the Central Division. This is a team that started the year very slowly but have since come on strong. They are finally looking like the team that many expected them to be and that is a scary thought for opposing teams. They can score the puck at a high rate and also have a physical defense to back them up. The defending champions are a veteran bunch and one that makes life tough every night out for the opponents.

Prediction: Colorado Avalanche 5, Arizona Coyotes 2

Give me the Avalanche to make easy work of the Coyotes tonight. They have been the better team all season and it shows up here.

Odds Presented By Betfred Sportsbook 

Spread – Arizona Coyotes +1.5 (+135) / Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (-160)

Moneyline – Arizona Coyotes +340 / Colorado Avalanche -460

Total – 6.5 – Over (+100) / Under (-120)

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