Recent Play Details

Colorado Avalanche -110…(5%) 

The Avalanche may have lost game 3 but to me, it wasn't as bad as the stat sheet might indicate. The expected goal numbers turned out to be 6.68 - 4.33 in favor of Colorado, shocking to some people who see the scoreboard read 6-2 for Tampa and for a team whose opponent had six power-play opportunities. The Avalanche looked fast and created plenty of chances throughout the game however Tampa Bay capitalized on the chances they were given and made the most out of them. 

The team with the better depth will win this game and will win the series and I think that is most certainly the Avalanche – On top of great goaltending, Tampa saw Corey Perry, Patrick Maroon & Nick Paul score a goal on Monday night, three guys that I just don't expect to have back to back performances like that, especially with the speed of Colorado and now with them off a loss. Colorado has three lines that are extremely dangerous and in addition to that, several defensemen are more than willing to jump into the rush and create chances as well. With guys like Landeskog, Mackinnon, and Nichuskin on the top line being aggressive, attacking the net and maintaining possession and after them, it's a line with Lehkonen, Rantanen and Compher, these are line combos that I love from head coach Jared Bednar, a great mix of speed, skill, physicality and all sorts of ways to score. 

The Avalanche had 39 shots in game 3 in a game where they had over 20 shots blocked as well, in this game I expect them to find open lanes, move the puck around better and find the best angle to beat Vasilevskiy.   

Game 3 was a perfect game for Tampa Bay, they responded and get production from their depth players but I don't see that happening once again – Colorado's post-game quotes were excellent, they seem calm and ready to respond and I believe they will. 

After losing 6-2 but being the better team analytically, that should tell you everything you need to know.