NHL Matchup - December 19, 2007

The Colorado Avalanche face the Anaheim Ducks tonight at the Honda Center, a venue that has not been kind to Colorado in recent years.

The Avalanche have just one win in their past five trips to Anaheim, and have been shut out in two of those tilts. Over the past 10 meetings overall, the Ducks are 6-2-0-2 SU against the Avalanche. This is the first clash of the season between the teams. In their last meeting, Anaheim beat Colorado 5-3 at home on Feb. 25.

But Colorado (19-13-1 SU) is coming in on a roll, having won three straight. In their last game, the Avalanche allowed two goals in the third period but held on to double the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 on Monday night, as a 115-moneyline favorite.

Anaheim (16-15-5 SU) has lost three of its past five, including a 2-0 shutout defeat to the San Jose Sharks on the road Tuesday night.

The Avalanche are expected to be without captain Joe Sakic, who is out indefinitely with a groin injury.

Over/under bettors should take note of a major “Under” trend in recent Avalanche-Ducks matchups. The total has gone Under in five of Colorado's past six games, Under in four of Colorado and Anaheim's past five meetings, Under in seven of Colorado's past nine on the road, and Under in four of Anaheim's past six at home.

The starting goaltenders are expected to be Peter Budaj for Colorado and Jean-Sebastien Giguere for Anaheim.

Bettors are split on this game, with 51 per cent picking an Anaheim win, according to online sportsbooks.

Betting Line:  Anaheim is a 125-moneyline favorite at Bet Jamaica. The over/under is 5½.