The Colorado Avalanche and the St. Louis Blues will close out the season series as they face off for the fifth and final time tonight. St. Louis has taken three of the previous four, but two of games were decided by one goal. I expect another close contest at Scottrade Center here.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Keeping It Close - The Avs have lost three of their last four, but each loss came by one goal with two of those games going past regulation. They out-shot the Lightning 42-31 at Tampa Bay their last time out, something not many teams can boast about. If they can run with the Lightning, why not the Blues?

2. Semyon Varlamov - The 26 year old Russian is likely to tend the net and has been dominant of late, going 4-1-1 allowing only 11 goals over his last six starts. He's faced the Blues three times this season, going 1-1-1 behind a 1.67 GAA.

3. X-Factor - Alex Tanguay is leading the Avs with 31 points and has one goal and three assists over his last four on the road.

Selection: This is a play on the Colorado Avalanche +1.5 (8*)