The Pepsi Center will be the site for a Central Division showdown as the Colorado Avalanche welcome the visiting Chicago Blackhawks. It’s the fourth and final time that these two clubs will go at it in the regular season. The match will get underway at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, March 30, and fans at home can watch it live on Altitude 2.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Colorado Avalanche Odds
Colorado is 41-36 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 10.3 units this season. That early-season winning percentage is a surprising improvement over the 22-60 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Of its 77 games this season, 39 have gone over the total, while 31 have gone under and just seven have pushed. The team’s 26-13 SU at home this season.
The Avalanche have converted on 20.6 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated third overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.5 percent of all penalties.
The Avalanche, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five outings home outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 8.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, in total.
Boasting a .918 save percentage and 28.7 saves per game, Semyon Varlamov (25-25-6) has been the top goalkeeper for the Avs this season. If the Avs, however, decide to give him the night off, the team might turn to Jonathan Bernier (18-14-14 record, .913 save percentage, 2.83 goals against average).
Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen will both look to continue their strong seasons for the Avalanche. MacKinnon (92 points) has tallied 38 goals and 54 assists and has recorded multiple points 26 times this year. Rantanen has 27 goals and 53 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 48 contests.
Chicago is 32-46 straight up (SU) and has lost 20.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 38 of its outings have gone under the total, while 35 have gone over and just four have pushed. The Blackhawks are 14-24 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 15.9 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 29th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 20th overall and it’s successfully defended 79.6 percent of all penalties.
Chicago’s skaters have been penalized only 3.4 times per game this season, and 2.2 per game over their past five games. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Anton Forsberg (23.9 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for Chicago. Forsberg owns an 11-24-4 record, while registering a .908 save percentage and 2.97 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Blackhawks, the offense will run through Patrick Kane, who’s got 47 assists and 27 goals on the year.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Colorado Avalanche Betting Predictions
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Chicago is 1-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Colorado is 2-1 in shootouts.
The total has gone under in three of Colorado’s last five games.
The Blackhawks have averaged the league’s third-most shots on goal (34.4) while Colorado has attempted the 31st-most (just 29.5).
Eight of Chicago’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 3-5 in those games.
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