Thursday, December 4, 2014 at 9:00 PM ET

Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary

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The struggling defense of the Colorado Avalanche will have to face one of the better offenses in the league in the Calgary Flames on Thursday night. During the 2013-14 season, the Avs won two out of their three games against the Flames.

The Avalanche have now lost two out of their last three games after losing 4-3 to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night. They were 0-for-1 on the power play in that loss and were outshot 30-29 by Montreal.

Through 25 games this season, the Avs are near the bottom of the league in goals against by giving up 3.1 goals per game. Netminder Semyon Varlamov has a 4-5-4 record through 13 starts with one shutout, a .918 save percentage and a 2.95 GAA. Defenseman Tyson Barrie has three goals and a team-high 16 assists so far this year.

The Flames had one of their most dominant offensive performances of the season on Tuesday when they blew out the Arizona Coyotes 5-2 at home. Rookie center Josh Jooris was clearly the best player on the ice in that win, scoring three of the Flames' five goals.

The Flames have been able to score 3.1 goals per game this year and they have scored on 21.6 percent of their power plays. Left wing Jiri Hudler has a team-high 11 goals this season, while defenseman Mark Giordano leads the team in assists (20) and points (26).

Colorado Avalanche Betting Trends

Colorado Avalanche are 9-16-0 Against the Spread

Colorado Avalanche are 12-11-0 against the Over/Under

Calgary Flames Betting Trends

Calgary Flames are 16-10-0 Against the Spread

Calgary Flames are 13-11-0 against the Over/Under

Injuries to Watch

Colorado Avalanche

12/03/14 GO Semyon Varlamov Groin is upgraded to probable Thursday vs. Calgary
12/01/14 C John Mitchell Leg out indefinitely
11/25/14 LW Jamie McGinn Back out indefinitely
11/22/14 D Brad Stuart Hamstring out indefinitely
11/21/14 RW Dennis Everberg Shoulder out indefinitely
10/23/14 D Ryan Wilson Shoulder out for season
10/06/14 RW Jesse Winchester Concussion out indefinitely
10/06/14 LW Patrick Bordeleau Back out indefinitely

Calgary Flames

10/31/14 C Joe Colborne Wrist out indefinitely
10/30/14 C Mikael Backlund Abdominal out indefinitely
10/29/14 C Matt Stajan Knee expected to miss 4-6 weeks
10/28/14 LW Mason Raymond Shoulder out indefinitely
10/08/14 C Sam Bennett Shoulder out 4-6 months

Tony's Pick: Take Calgary

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