The set-up: The 15-15-6 NY Islanders are in Denver to take on the 12-25-1 Colorado Avalanche. The Islanders have struggled to meet expectations this season.,as they last in the Metropolitan Division, which currently has the top three teams -- in terms of points -- in the NHL. However, the Avalanche have been pretty much ice-cold all season and currently have has lost five in a row and 10 of their last 11 games. (they're also on a 10-game winless streak at home).

NY Islanders: The Islanders haven't played since beating the Jets 6-2 in Winnipeg on Saturday and should be fresh for Friday's game. Captain John Tavares collected a goal and an assist in that New Year's Eve win and is now just two points shy of becoming the 10th player in Islanders' history with 500 career points. The Islanders' offense certainly has improved, as it has erupted for 55 goals in the last 16 games (3.43 average) after mustering just 48 in the initial 20 (2.40). However, New York's main problem this year has its inability to close out games. The Islanders have held third-period leads in 32 of their 36 games this season but check in as a .500 team.

Colorado: the Avalanche own just one win since Dec. 11 and that was a Dec. 23rd win at Chicago, 2-1 in OT. Colorado has mustered just 17 goals en route to losing 10 of its last 11 games heading into this contest, the opener of a four-game homestand. "We made stupid mistakes again," forward Joe Colborne said after Wednesday's 4-1 setback in Calgary. "We keep talking about it and we don't execute."

The pick: New York goalie Thomas Greiss has yielded just five goals en route to winning three straight starts and is 6-1-0 with a 2.29 goals-against average in his last seven. Considering the avalanche has scored only 17 goals in their last 11 games, the Under is a 10* play.