Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and the Chicago Blackhawks will face off against Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon, and the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center in a Central Division tilt. The game will get going at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 29, and you’ll be able to witness the game live on NBC Sports Chicago.
Chicago Blackhawks at Colorado Avalanche Odds
Chicago (+190) is playing the role of underdog to Colorado (-230), and the Over/Under (O/U) is placed at 7 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under).
Colorado is 19-19 straight-up (SU) and has lost 4.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. That win percentage, ranked third in the Central Division so far this season, isn’t too far off from to what the team managed during the 2017-18 season (43-39). Through 38 regular season outings, 20 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under and none have pushed. The team is 8-8 SU at home this year.
The Avalanche have converted on 27.2 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s good enough for fifth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 20th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 78.7 percent of all penalties.
With a .913 save percentage and 28.0 saves per game, Semyon Varlamov (11-12-3) has been the most dependable option in goal for the Avs this year. If Colorado decides to rest him, however, head coach Jared Bednar may roll with Philipp Grubauer (8-9-9 record, .904 save percentage, 3.09 goals against average).
On the other bench, Chicago is 14-26 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 40 regular season outings, 23 of its games have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under the total and just two have pushed. As the visiting team, the Blackhawks are 6-14 SU so far.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 14.3 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s ranked 27th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 30th overall and it’s successfully killed off 74.1 percent of all penalties.
Corey Crawford (28.3 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Chicago. Crawford has six wins, 17 losses, and two overtime losses to his credit, while registering a .902 save percentage and 3.28 goals against average this year.
Chicago Blackhawks at Colorado Avalanche Betting Predictions
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in four of Colorado’s last five games.
- Six of Colorado’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 2-4 overall in those games.
- Chicago skaters created 16.8 hits per game last season, while the Avs posted 20.4 hits per matchup.
