In this article we will formulate an Avalanche vs Blues prediction for this NHL game on Wednesday, December 31st 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 29-2-7 this season after they defeated Los Angeles by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Colorado had their lead cut to 3-2 in the third period, but they scored the last two goals to pull away with the win. The Avalanche out shot LA by a total of 26-25, won 50% of the face-offs, and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Colorado got goals from Drury, MacKinnon, Necas, Nelson, and Makar, while Blackwood stopped 23 out of 25 shots, which was a .920 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Colorado defeated the Golden Knights by a score of 6-5 and the Mammoth by a score of 1-0. The Avalanche have won eight games in a row and they are currently first in the Central standings with 65 points. Colorado has scored 4.00 goals per game and they have allowed 2.18 goals against per game, while also going 15.5% on the power play and 85.3% on the penalty kill this season. Nathan MacKinnon has led Colorado with 32 goals and 34 assists, while Martin Necas has added 19 goals and 31 assists. The projected starting goalie for Colorado is Scott Wedgewood, who is 17-1-4 with a 2.13 goals against average and a .919 save percentage this season.
St. Louis Blues Betting Preview
The St. Louis Blues are 15-17-8 this year after they lost to Buffalo by a score of 4-2 in their last game. St. Louis led 2-1 after the first period, but they allowed one goal in the second and two in the third for the loss. The Blues were out shot by a total of 34-18, won 44.4% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. St. Louis got goals from Schenn and Snuggerud, while Hofer stopped 30 out of 33 shots, which was a .909 save percentage.
Prior to that game, St. Louis defeated the Predators by a score of 3-2, but lost to the Lightning by a score of 4-1 before that. The Blues have alternated wins and losses over their last nine games and they are currently sixth in the Central standings with 38 points. St. Louis has scored 2.50 goals per game and they have allowed 3.38 goals against per game, while also going 18.4% on the power play and 77.5% on the penalty kill this season. Robert Thomas has led St. Louis with nine goals and 20 assists, while Pavel Buchnevich has added seven goals and 14 assists. The projected starting goalie for St. Louis is Jordan Binnington, who is 7-9-6 with a 3.44 goals against average and an .870 save percentage this year.
Why the Colorado Avalanche will win
- The Avalanche have won each of their last 14 home games.
- The Blues have lost each of their last six road games against Central Division opponents.
- The Avalanche have covered the puck line in each of their last five home games following a home win.
- The Blues have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last three games.
- The Avalanche have won the third period in each of their last six games against Western Conference opponents when trailing after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Eight of the Blues’ last nine road games against Western Conference opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Seven of the Avalanche’s last eight games against Central Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Seven of the last eight Wednesday night games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Blues’ last eight night games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in seven of the last eight games between the Blues and Avalanche.
Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts
- Martin Necas has scored at least one goal in four of the Avalanche’s last five games.
- Nathan MacKinnon has recorded at least one assist in 11 of his last 12 home appearances against the Blues.
St. Louis Blues Player Prop Facts
- Robert Thomas has recorded at least one assist in each of the Blues’ last three games against the Avalanche.
Avalanche vs Blues Prediction
Colorado comes into this matchup on another lengthy winning streak and they have been the best team in the NHL so far this year. The Avalanche are 16-0-2 at home this year, while the Blues are 7-8-3 on the road. St. Louis has alternated wins and losses over their last nine games and they are due for a win here, but I don’t see that happening. St. Louis is extremely low scoring this season and Colorado is elite on both ends of the ice. Take the Avs to win by at least two goals here.