In their third head-to-head matchup of the regular season, the Colorado Avalanche and the Chicago Blackhawks face off at the United Center in a Central Division showdown. The action gets going at 8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 20, and it’ll be showcased live on NBC Sports Chicago.
Colorado Avalanche at Chicago Blackhawks Odds
Each side currently has an identical -110 money line for this matchup 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 earned 11.7 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 72 regular season outings, 38 of its games have gone over the total, while 28 have gone under and just six have pushed. The Avs are 14-22 SU on the road in 2017-18.
Colorado has converted on 20.8 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, it has the second-strongest penalty kill in the league, and the team’s successfully killed off 84.3 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Avs have been whistled for penalties 4.1 times per game this season, 4.6 per game over its last five games total, and 4.2 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays 10.0 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Boasting a .918 save percentage and 28.5 saves per game, Semyon Varlamov (23-23-6) has been the primary option in goal for Colorado this season. If Colorado chooses to rest him, however, head coach Jared Bednar may turn to Jonathan Bernier (18-13-2 record, .914 save percentage, 2.81 goals against average).
Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Avalanche. MacKinnon (89 points) has tallied 38 goals and 51 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 24 different games. Rantanen has 25 goals and 52 assists to his name, and has logged at least one point in 45 games.
Chicago is 30-43 straight up (SU) and has lost 18.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. 37 of its games have gone under the total, while 33 have gone over and just three have pushed. It’s 17-19 SU at home this year.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 16.0 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the bottom 5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 21st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.6 percent of all penalties.
Blackhawks players have been penalized 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 kill penalties just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (27.9 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for the Blackhawks. Crawford has 16 wins, 12 losses, and two overtime losses to his name and has registered a 2.27 goals against average and a .929 save percentage this season.
Patrick Kane (25 goals, 44 assists) will pace the offensive attack for the Blackhawks.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Chicago Blackhawks Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Over Chicago’s last ten outings, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-5 in those games).
The Avalanche are 17-12 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 24-22 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total.
Chicago is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Colorado is 1-1 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in four of Chicago’s last five games.
Chicago has allowed 3.1 goals per game overall this season, but is giving up 5.3 goals per contest over its three-game losing skid.
Chicago has averaged 9.0 giveaways over its last five home games, its season average of 8.6 giveaways per game (ranked 12th overall).
One of the best at possession and valuing the puck, Colorado is ranked fourth this season with just 6.1 giveaways per game. That figure’s trended down, however, as it’s averaged 3.7 giveaways over its last 10 games and 4.0 giveaways over its last five.
xxxxx
