The Avalanche are still one of the best teams in the NHL this season, they won the Stanley Cup two years ago, and they are definitely contenders again as they are tied with the Stars for points in the Central at the top of the division - They are also 2nd in the NHL in GPG, at 3.76, so they can definitely score with anybody and they do come off a 5-3 high scoring game vs the Devils on Monday - and that was on the heels of a 2-1 loss to the Rangers coming right out of the All-Star Break, so it looks like they've already shaken the rust off the twigs, and they're getting the puck on net - Carolina has seen their last four contests go under the total so they likely want to play a lower scoring/defensive minded game - HOWEVER - I don't think the Avs allow them to do that here as they are 30-19-2 to the over this season, and now that they are firing on all cylinders, they likely get on the board early and make Carolina play catch up, which in turn might leave the backend open again for Colorado...in fact I kind of like Colorado to win this game outright as a small dog, however I'll side with the over here as I think the Avs will dictate pace here, not the Canes, and they'll make them want to play their type of high scoring game, and this contest likely goes over the posted total which is currently at 6.5 (Juiced to the under)