Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 7:00 PM ET

Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

On Thursday, the Colorado Avalanche will be going up against the Pittsburgh Penguins in a game that will feature two of the best penalty kills in the NHL. Last season, the Avs and the Penguins each picked up one win in their two-game regular season series against each other.

The Avalanche have now lost five of their last six games after taking a 3-2 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues last Saturday. They were just 1-for-6 on the power play in that loss and they were outshot 42-25.

Through 30 games, the Avs are near the bottom of the league in goals against by giving up 3.2 goals per game. Center Matt Duchene has been one of their top offensive threats by notching 10 goals and 10 assists. Goalie Semyon Varlamov is now 4-6-5 on the year with a 3.21 GAA and a .909 save percentage.

On Monday night, the Penguins used a two-goal second period to help them defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 at home. Right wing Steve Downie was their top star in that game by scoring a goal and providing an assist on another.

The Penguins have been able to average 3.2 goals per game this season while only allowing 2.3 goals per game. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has been at his best this season and is currently 17-4-2 with five shutouts and a .927 save percentage.

Colorado Avalanche Betting Trends

Colorado Avalanche are 10-20-0 Against the Spread

Colorado Avalanche are 15-13-0 against the Over/Under

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Trends

Pittsburgh Penguins are 20-10-0 Against the Spread

Pittsburgh Penguins are 13-14-0 against the Over/Under

Injuries to Watch

Colorado Avalanche

12/17/14 D Brad Stuart Hamstring is upgraded to probable Thursday vs. Pittsburgh
12/08/14 GO Semyon Varlamov Groin out indefinitely
12/05/14 C Ben Street Hand out indefinitely
12/01/14 C John Mitchell Leg out indefinitely
11/25/14 LW Jamie McGinn Back out for season
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

Pittsburgh Penguins

12/17/14 GO Marc-Andre Fleury Illness is downgraded to doubtful Thursday vs. Colorado
12/17/14 D Robert Bortuzzo Upper Body is downgraded to doubtful Thursday vs. Colorado
12/17/14 C Sidney Crosby Virus is upgraded to probable Thursday vs. Colorado
12/11/14 D Olli Maatta Upper Body out indefinitely
12/10/14 RW Beau Bennett Knee out indefinitely
12/03/14 LW Chris Kunitz Foot expected to miss 2 weeks
12/03/14 C Scott Wilson Leg expected to miss 2-3 weeks
11/18/14 RW Pascal Dupuis Blood Clot out for season
11/01/14 D Derrick Pouliot Shoulder out indefinitely

Tony's Pick: Take Pittsburgh

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