Avalanche vs Blue Jackets Prediction 1/10/26 NHL Picks Today

In this article we will formulate an Avalanche vs Blue Jackets prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, January 10th at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview

The Colorado Avalanche are 32-4-7 this season after they defeated Ottawa by a score of 8-2 in their last game. Colorado had their lead cut to 3-1 in the second period, but they scored the next five goals to pull away with the win. The Avalanche out shot Ottawa by a total of 34-31, won 54.1% of the face-offs, and went 2-6 on the power play in the game. Colorado got goals from MacKinnon, Necas, Nelson (2), Burns, Makar, and Manson (2), while Wedgewood stopped 29 out of 31 shots, which was a .935 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Colorado lost to the Lightning by a score of 4-2 and the Panthers by a score of 2-1. The Avalanche have lost two of their last three games and they are currently first in the Central standings with 71 points. Colorado has scored 4.05 goals per game and they have allowed 2.21 goals against per game, while also going 16.8% on the power play and 85.4% on the penalty kill this season. Nathan MacKinnon has led Colorado with 36 goals and 42 assists, while Martin Necas has added 20 goals and 35 assists. The projected starting goalie for Colorado is Scott Wedgewood, who is 19-3-4 with a 2.19 goals against average and a .917 save percentage this season. 

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are 18-18-7 this year after they lost to Vegas by a score of 5-3 in their last game. Columbus led 2-0 in the first period, but they allowed the last five goals for the loss. The Blue Jackets were out shot by a total of 26-25, won 63.2% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Columbus got goals from Jenner, Johnson, and Marchenko, while Greaves stopped 21 out of 26 shots, which was an .808 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Columbus lost to the Sharks by a score of 5-2 and the Penguins by a score of 5-4. The Blue Jackets have lost four of their last five games and they are currently last in the Metro standings with 43 points. Columbus has scored 2.98 goals per game and they have allowed 3.40 goals against per game, while also going 17.8% on the power play and 75.6% on the penalty kill this season. Zach Werenski has led Columbus with 16 goals and 30 assists, while Kirill Marchenko has added 16 goals and 19 assists. The projected starting goalie for Columbus is Elvis Merzlikins, who is 6-6-1 with a 4.04 goals against average and an .877 save percentage this year. 

Why the Colorado Avalanche will win

• The Avalanche have won each of their last 16 home games.
• The Blue Jackets have lost four of their last five games.
• The Avalanche have covered the puck line in each of their last six home games following a home win.
• The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games following a road loss.
• The Avalanche have won the third period in each of their last six home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Total Goals Facts

• Eight of the Avalanche’s last nine day games following a win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Blue Jackets’ last six Saturday road games have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Avalanche’s last six home games against opponents on a losing streak.
• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in three of the Blue Jackets’ last four games.

Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts

• Cale Makar has recorded at least one assist in each of the Avalanche’s last 14 games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Nathan MacKinnon has scored at least one goal in each of the Avalanche’s last nine Saturday games against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts

• Kirill Marchenko has scored a goal in each of the Blue Jackets’ last three games as road underdogs.
• Denton Mateychuk has recorded at least one assist in each of the Blue Jackets’ last five day games.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Colorado Avalanche rank 1st in the league for goals per game this season (4.05).
• The Colorado Avalanche rank 1st in the league for goals against per game this season (2.21).
• The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 29th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (75.61%).
• The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 28th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.40).

Avalanche vs Blue Jackets Prediction 

Colorado got back on track with a dominant win over Ottawa in their last game and they should make it two in a row here. The Avalanche are 18-0-2 at home this year, while the Blue Jackets are 9-11-3 on the road. Columbus has lost four of their last five games and they have allowed five goals in each of their last three. The Blue Jackets are starting Merzlikins in net, who has been pretty bad this year, so I expect Colorado to have another huge game. Take the Avalanche -1.5 here.