Colorado Avalanche look to enter playoff spots with win over Columbus Blue Jackets - NHL Preview
Colorado Avalanche with every game are getting closer to that coveted eighth spot in the Western Conference and a win on Thursday, March 1st, 2012 over the Columbus Blue Jackets will probably put them in control of the playoff spot.
The Avalanche will face Columbus on home ice at the Pepsi Center in Denver and will be confident of notching their fifth win in a row.
Colorado, currently on a four game winning run find themselves just a point behind eighth placed Dallas Stars and with the visit of the league’s worst team up next, it is a big opportunity for Colorado to finally move into the playoff spots.
Columbus will have to play their best game if they are to get anything from this encounter but that scenario seems highly unlikely.
The Blue Jackets are on a three game losing run including a 5-0 pounding at the hands of their Thursday night opponents.
Columbus are currently bottom of the Western Conference with just 43 points.
Avalanche (33-27-4, 70 pts)
Colorado are picking up form at just the right moment.
With four big wins in a row the Avalanche are playing with full confidence and their highly talented offensive line is scoring for fun.
Colorado was on song once more as they defeated a resurgent Anaheim Ducks side 4-1. Even though they were outshot during the game the Avalanche were more clinical in front of goal and ran out comfortable winners.
Forward Matt Duchene was really pleased with Colorado’s current run and said that confidence has never been higher in the locker room.
"We're bleeding confidence right now and it's easy to play when you're like that,"
Facing a poor Columbus Blue Jackets side will be like a walk in the park for Colorado and will most probably find themselves in a playoff spot after the game.
Blue Jackets (18-38-7, 43 pts)
In their current form no one will give Columbus much of a chance against the Avalanche. The Blue Jackets put up fighting performances in each of their games but their lack of skill almost always saw them end up on the losing side.
On a three game losing streak and entering Thursday’s game on the back of a 5-2 pounding at the hands of Detroit the Blue Jackets form does not give out much confidence.
Even Captain and talisman Rick Nash is looking to jump ship as he does not foresee a big change in the Blue Jackets fortunes.
Colorado will likely have a field day against the Blue Jackets.
Predictions
The Avalanche will win comfortably.
Colorado’s inform offence and the Blue Jackets equally poor defence make for a big score line.
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