Top NHL picks December 5: Expect the underdog Canadiens to beat the Canucks

The NHL slate features six games today. The game with the most Canadian affair is an all-Canadian affair.

The Colorado Avalanche have an opportunity to beat up on the Philadelphia Flyers. Boston Bruins are rolling and Montreal Canadiens are poised to upset the Vancouver Canucks.

Philadelphia has won just one of its last 13 games. The team is averaging two goals per game and has a goal differential of minus-27. Colorado started the season slowly but are now rounding into form. Alexandar Georgiev will start for Colorado. He has the league's seventh-best save percentage and fifth-most wins.

The Bruins are a -180 on the moneyline. They are 14-0 at home this season. The Bruins have won eight of their last 10 home games by two or more goals.

Canadiens are on a road trip through Western Canada. They started with a victory over the Calgary Flames last Thursday. Then they lost to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. Now they play the Canucks, who are 4-6-1 at home this season.