The United Center is the site for a Central Division showdown as the Colorado Avalanche take on the Chicago Blackhawks. The match will get going at 8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 20, and fans at home can catch it live on NBC Sports Chicago.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds
The money line for each team is currently set at an identical -110, and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under).
Colorado is 39-33 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 11.7 units this year. Through 72 regular season outings, 38 of its games have gone over the total, while 28 have gone under and just six have pushed. As a road team this season, the Avs are 14-22 SU.
Colorado has converted on 20.8 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked second overall, and it’s successfully killed off 84.3 percent of all penalties.
The Avs, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.1 times per game during the 2017-18 season, 4.6 per game over its last five matchups total, and 4.2 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The team has been forced to kill penalties 10.0 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
With a .918 save percentage and 28.5 saves per game, Semyon Varlamov (23-23-6) has been the best option in goal for Colorado this year. If Colorado chooses to rest him, however, they may turn to Jonathan Bernier (18-13-2), who has a .914 save percentage and 2.81 goals against average this year.
Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen will both lead the way for the visiting Avalanche. MacKinnon (89 points) is up to 38 goals and 51 assists, and has recorded multiple points in 24 different games. Rantanen has 25 goals and 52 assists to his credit (and has registered a point in 45 games).
On the other side of the rink, Chicago is 30-43 straight up (SU) and has lost 18.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 73 regular season contests, 37 of its games have gone under the total, while 33 have gone over and just three have pushed. The team is 17-19 SU at home this year.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 16.0 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 27th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 21st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Chicago skaters have been whistled for penalties only 3.4 times per game in total this season, and 2.0 per game over their last five at home. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford has stopped 27.9 shots per game as the primary choice in goal for the Blackhawks. Crawford has 16 wins, 12 losses, and two OT losses and has recorded a .929 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average this year.
The Hawks offense will be led by Patrick Kane (25 goals, 44 assists).
Colorado Avalanche at Chicago Blackhawks Betting Predictions
Free Pick: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Colorado is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Chicago is 1-1 in shootouts.
- The over has hit in four of Chicago’s last five games.
- Colorado has managed 27.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Chicago is averaging 31.2 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Chicago has allowed 3.1 goals per game this season, but has given up 5.3 goals per contest over its three-game losing streak.
- Over Colorado’s last ten games, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 6-1 in those games).
