The top-scoring team in the NHL (191 goals), the Avalanche were limited to a single goal by the Rangers on Monday, marking just the second time since Nov. 4 they failed to score at least twice in a contest. Colorado is 6-2-1 over its last nine games, with each win coming by two or more goals. The club has tallied at least five times in each of its last five victories. Two of the Devils' last three defeats have been by a minimum of three goals, and they suffered a 6-3 loss at Colorado earlier this season. They're tied for 25th in the NHL in goals allowed (168), and I don't see them stopping the Avs.

The Avalanche, who had their three-game winning streak halted on Monday, haven’t lost back-to-back contests since Dec. 7-9. That was just the fourth time this season they suffered consecutive defeats, as they’ve gone 16-5-2 over their last 23 games. The Avs posted a 6-3 victory over New Jersey at home in their first meeting of 2023-24, with Mikko Rantanen netting two tallies and setting up another. The Devils have lost seven of their last 10 games and haven’t played since losing 6-3 at Tampa Bay on Jan. 27. Expect Colorado to prevail against a rusty opponent that’s still without star center Jack Hughes.

It's been ten days since the Devils played a game, which might put them at a bit of a disadvantage tonight against the Avs, who were able to work off some of their All-Star break rust last night across the river against the Rangers (a 2-1 Colorado loss). History has suggested this is a good scheduling spot for the team that has already returned to action, and Colorado has high hopes for GK Justus Annunen, making only his second NHL start. Note Vitek Vanecek's pedestrian 3.24 GAA and .886 saves in goal for the Devils. Play Avs on Money Line

Colorado played last night, a rare low-scoring affair. That has us liking their offense to be a bit fresher for their second game in as many nights, and their last two back-to-backs saw 11 and 8 total goals scored. Avalanche road games over the past month are averaging 7.9 goals/game, and New Jersey home games in the same span are averaging 8.5 goals/game. Three of the Devils past four games have seen 8+ goals, we like the over tonight.