Colorado is humming right now; scoring four goals or more in every game of their current home stand. The return of Val Nichuskin has buoyed the team but lost in their offensive resurgence is how good they've been on defense. The Avs are holding opponents to 2.48 expected goals a game since the 4Nations break. Colorado gets an inferior opponent tonight on the first leg of a back to back and we expect it to be workmanlike against a Blackhawks side lacking punch. Spencer Knight vs Scott Wedgewood is the expected match-up in net and my projected total is 6 flat offering us some upside at current market prices

As I said in my Over pick, the Avs are red-hot right now. Colorado has the look of a legitimate Stanley Cup contender after a busy trade deadline, and I expect Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Co. to roll on Monday night.

The Avs have won five straight games and may be the hottest team in the NHL. Colorado is averaging over 5 goals per game during the streak, and has scored 7 in its last two games. I expect another offensive eruption from the Avs at home. If Chicago can score 1-2 goals, this over should cash with ease.

Colorado is stacked, especially after getting Brock Nelson from the Islanders, but the Blackhawks now have a legitimate No. 1 goalie in Spencer Knight, who is 2-0 since being traded to Chicago. Granted, playing in Denver is an entirely different thing but if the Hawks score first we probably are cashing. The Avs have a much more important game tomorrow night at Minnesota.