The Colorado Avalanche (20-16-3) face the Chicago Blackhawks (10-25-4) Thursday at United Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Avalanche vs. Blackhawks odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Avalanche were on the short end of a 5-4 setback against the Florida Panthers at Ball Arena last time out on Tuesday. The defending champs are in the midst of an ugly 1-5-1 skid.
The Blackhawks have won back-to-back games with a 2-0 win over the Arizona Coyotes on Friday, and a 4-3 win in overtime against the Calgary Flames on Sunday. Who could have predicted Chicago would have more wins than Colorado in the new year?
Avalanche at Blackhawks odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub Lines last updated at 8:14 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Avalanche -310 (bet $310 to win $100) | Blackhawks +255 (bet $100 to win $255)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche -1.5 (-125) | Blackhawks +1.5 (+105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Avalanche at Blackhawks projected goalies
Alexandar Georgiev (16-11-3, 2.75 GAA, .915 SV%, 2 SO) vs Petr Mrazek (2-10-1, 4.19 GAA, .878 SV%)
Georgiev coughed up 5 goals on 37 shots in a 5-4 loss against the Panthers last time out, and he has allowed 3 or more goals in 6 of the last 7 starts since Dec. 27. He is 1-5-1 across the nosedive.
Mrazek was knocked around for 5 goals on 28 shots last time out against the San Jose Sharks on New Year’s Day. He has lost 5 consecutive starts, allowing 3 or more goals in each of those assignments.
Avalanche at Blackhawks picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 5, Blackhawks 4
Moneyline
The Avalanche (-310) will cost you 3 times your potential return, and that’s risky any time, let alone with a team playing terrible hockey lately. Plus, the defending champs are on the road.
PASS.
The BLACKHAWKS +1.5 (+105) are a risky play at home, but it has 2 straight victories, while the Avalanche -1.5 (-125) has managed a 1-5-1 record across the past 7 games overall.
There is plenty of risk, as the Avalanche has won 5 in a row against the Blackhawks, while going 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Chicago.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (+100) is 4-1-1 in the past 6 meetings in this series.
In addition, both Georgiev and Mrazek are struggling to stop pucks. The Over has been the rule in this series, and the Over is 5-2 in the last 7 home games for the Blackhawks.
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