For a number of different reasons I believe we're getting excellent value on the home side in this situation:
The Islanders, opening a three-game trip, played past regulation in three straight and four of their last five contests. New York’s last three games went to shootouts, with the Isles winning twice.
After taking a three-goal lead three times Sunday, the Islanders allowed Atlanta to tie it in the third period before posting a 6-5 shootout victory.
I expect a "letdown" this evening.
The "achilles heel" of this team for the longest time has been its play on the road, and it continues to be a weak spot again this year; 7-18 its last 25 away from friendly confines.
On the other side of the rink: The Avalanche look to continue their success against the Islanders in Denver when the teams meet for the only time this season Wednesday night.
In its last game Sunday, Colorado won 3-2 at Columbus on T.J. Galiardi’s goal off a rebound with 57.8 seconds left.
Colorado has 54 points after 43 games, one season after finishing with a Western Conference-low 69 points. Rookie center Ryan O’Reilly, though, knows the Avs need to shore up their play.
“(Letting teams) right back into it has been a tendency for us lately, but we are young and we have the leadership and we’re changing that,” he said. “In order for us to be successful down the road, that’s something we have to do.”
Remember, not only are the Av's 5-2 their last seven overall, they are also 4-2 their last six at the Pepsi Center.
Bottom line: Colorado has a long history of dominating the Islanders at home, 6-1-1 in front of the home town faithful vs. the Isles, and I expect this trend to continue tonight; look for COLORADO to improve to 9-3 (+7.6 units) in non-conference games and for New York to fall to 2-5 (-3.1 units) in non-conference games!
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons 1/6
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