*8* SPECIAL on Colorado Avalanche.

The Vancouver Canucks are in free fall coming into this contest as losers of four straight and eight of their last 10. They'll host a hot Colorado Avalanche team, and my money is on the visitors.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. The Nucks' Goaltending Issues - Vancouver is coming off four consecutive 5-2 defeats with Ryan Miller and Jacob Markstrom each starting twice. It's unclear who will get the nod tonight, but it's a big concern for Vancouver with both netminders going through a rough patch at the same time.

2. Road Warriors - The Avs have won four of their last five and six of their last eight on the road with wins at Dallas and Los Angeles the most noteworthy. The Canucks are 0-5-1 in their last six games at Rogers Arena.

3. X-Factor - Vancouver is the second lowest scoring team in the league at 2.4 goals per game and it has scored two or fewer in eight of its last nine games.

Selection: This is a play on the Colorado Avalanche (8*)