*8* play on San Jose Sharks.

The San Jose Sharks will wrap up a five-game trip with a stop at Colorado for a match-up against the Avalanche Wednesday night. The Avs have lost four of their last five in front of the home town crowd and I think their fans will leave tonight's contest disappointed once again.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Recent Meetings - The Sharks have claimed two of three meetings this season and won 4-3 at Pepsi Center on Nov. 1. They're 35-17 in the last 52 match-ups in the series.

2. Road Warriors - The Sharks have among the best road records in the league at 21-9-2 and they've won four of their last five away from home.

3. X-Factor - San Jose's Joe Thornton is coming off a two-goal, two-assist performance in Monday's 6-3 win at St. Louis and he has three assists in three games against the Avs so far this season.

Selection: This is a play on the San Jose Sharks (8*)