By Rich Carlson
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Carolina Hurricanes (15-12-4) at Colorado Avalanche (13-14-2), 9:30 p.m. ET

Current WagerWeb.com Odds: Spread Money Line Total Goals
Carolina +1 1/2 -245 +115 Over 6 -115
Colorado -1 1/2 +205 - 135 Under 6 -105

The defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes will travel to the Pepsi Center this evening to take on the Colorado Avalanche. After a slow start to the season, the Hurricanes have bounced back and are currently in second place in the Southeast Division. C Rod Brind�Amour is 10th in the NHL in total points (36) and leads the Hurricanes with 26 assists. C Eric Staal leads the team with 16 goals and is one of 6 Hurricanes to have scored 10 or more goals this year. One area of concern for the Hurricanes is the play of G Cam Ward, who has a dismal .893 save percentage. Ward must step up his play and stop letting in soft goals if the Hurricanes are going to make a run at defending the Stanley Cup.

Veteran C Joe Sakic is leading the Avalanche offensive attack once again with 12 goals and 19 assists. The Avalanche have a balanced offensive attack with 9 players having tallied 10 or more assists this year. G Jose Theodore has been a disappointment thus far as his 8-8 record indicates. The Avalanche are currently in last place in their division and must get better play from Theodore and backup G Peter Budaj (5-6, 2.54 GAA, .908 save percentage) if they want to escape the Northwest Division cellar.

This will be the first matchup between the Hurricanes and Avalanche this year.

Injury report
Carolina: D Frantisek Kaberle (shoulder) is on injured reserve and will be out until at least mid-January; C Rod Brind�Amour (lower body) is listed as questionable for tonight�s game; LW Cory Stillman (shoulder) is listed as questionable for tonight�s game.

Colorado: C Steve Moore (concussion) is out indefinitely; LW Brad May (shoulder) is on injured reserve and will be out until at least late January.

Key betting information
*-Carolina is 4-5-1 in its last 10 games and has a 7-8-3 road record
*-Colorado is 5-5-0 in its last 10 games and has a 6-6-1 home record
*-Carolina�s No. 8-ranked offense (3.13 goals per game) vs. Colorado�s No. 16-ranked defense (2.93 goals allowed average)
*-Colorado�s No. 10-ranked offense (3.03 goals per game) vs. Carolina�s No. 20-ranked defense (3.10 goals allowed average)
*-Carolina�s No. 27-ranked power play (14.3% scored) vs. Colorado�s No. 24-ranked penalty-killing unit (80.1% success)
*-Colorado�s No. 16-ranked power play (16.7% scored) vs. Carolina�s No. 12-ranked penalty-killing unit (84.3% success)

News & notes
The Chicago Blackhawks signed veteran RW Peter Bondra to a contract on Sunday in an effort to improve their 23rd-ranked offense (2.50 goals per game).

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