Facing each other for the fourth and final time this year, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Colorado Avalanche collide at the Pepsi Center. This Central Division matchup gets going at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 21, and it can be viewed live on Altitude Sports & Entertainment.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Colorado Avalanche Odds
Colorado (-235) is being chosen as the favorite over Chicago (+195) and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals (-125 to bet the over, +105 for the under).
The Avalanche are 22-13 straight up (SU) and have earned 9.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked third in the league in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 38-44 record from the 2018-19 season campaign. Out of its 35 regular season matches, 17 of them have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and just two have pushed. Thus far, the team’s 10-6 SU at home.
Colorado’s converted on 18.6 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 20th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.6 percent of all penalties.
Colorado, as a collective unit, has been penalized 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 3.1 per game over its last ten contests. The team’s had to stave off opposition power plays for just 6.9 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
With a .915 save percentage and 27.9 saves per game, Philipp Grubauer (11-9-2) has been the principal option in goal for the Avalanche this year. If they choose to give him the evening off, however, the team could roll with Pavel Francouz (11-4-4 record, .934 save percentage, 2.16 goals against average).
The Avs will continue to lean on the leadership out of Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. MacKinnon (53 points) has tallied 21 goals and 32 assists and has recorded multiple points in 15 different games this year. Makar has eight goals and 20 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 20 contests.
Chicago has lost 5.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far and is currently 14-22 straight up (SU). A total of 20 of its contests have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and just one has pushed. Chicago’s 6-11 SU as an away team this season.
Chicago has converted on just 16.7 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 23rd in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 16th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.4 percent of all penalties.
Chicago’s skaters have been penalized 3.5 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their past five match ups. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Robin Lehner (2.76 goals against average and .927 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Chicago. Lehner is averaging 32.6 saves per game and owns an 8-11-5 record.
Patrick Kane (19 goals, 25 assists) will pace the offensive counter for the visiting Blackhawks.
Chicago Blackhawks at Colorado Avalanche Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The total has gone under in four of Colorado’s last five games.
- Power plays and penalty kills may play a key role in this matchup. The Blackhawks are 4-7 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 10-16 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total. The Avalanche are 12-6 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 16-7 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- Chicago (1-4 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Colorado has yet to participate in one this year.
- Colorado skaters have averaged 9.2 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 8.4 takeaways per game (ranked 8th overall).
- Chicago skaters have managed 7.2 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 8.5 takeaways per game (ranked seventh).
