In this article we will formulate an Avalanche vs Mammoth prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, December 23rd 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 26-2-7 this season after they defeated Minnesota by a score of 5-1 in their last game. Colorado had their lead cut to 3-1 in the third period, but they added two late goals to pull away with the win. The Avalanche out shot Minnesota by a total of 42-29, won 55.3% of the face-offs, and went 2-4 on the power play in the game. Colorado got goals from MacKinnon (2), Necas, Nelson, and Makar, while Blackwood stopped 28 out of 29 shots, which was a .966 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Colorado defeated the Jets by a score of 3-2 and the Kraken by a score of 5-3. The Avalanche have won five games in a row and they are currently first in the Central standings with 59 points. Colorado has scored 4.03 goals per game and they have allowed 2.17 goals against per game, while also going 16.4% on the power play and 85.0% on the penalty kill this season. Nathan MacKinnon has led Colorado with 30 goals and 31 assists, while Martin Necas has added 16 goals and 31 assists. The projected starting goalie for Colorado is Scott Wedgewood, who is 15-1-4 with a 2.11 goals against average and a .920 save percentage this season.
Utah Mammoth Betting Preview
The Utah Mammoth are 18-17-3 this year after they defeated Winnipeg by a score of 4-3 in overtime. Utah led 3-0 in the second period, but they blew the lead, before scoring just 13 seconds into overtime for the win. The Mammoth were out shot by a total of 26-22, won 49.1% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Utah got goals from Crouse, Keller, and Kerfoot, while Vejmelka stopped 23 out of 26 shots, which was an .885 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Utah lost to the Devils by a score of 2-1, but did beat the Red Wings by a score of 4-1 before that. The Mammoth have won four of their last six games and they are currently fourth in the Central standings with 39 points. Utah has scored 3.05 goals per game and they have allowed 2.92 goals against per game, while also going 15.5% on the power play and 82.6% on the penalty kill this season. Nick Schmaltz has led Utah with 12 goals and 20 assists, while Clayton Keller has also added 12 goals and 20 assists. The projected starting goalie for Utah is Karel Vejmelka, who is 16-10-2 with a 2.70 goals against average and an .896 save percentage this year.
Why the Colorado Avalanche will win
- The Avalanche have won each of their last 12 home games.
- The Mammoth have lost each of their last five games after coming off overtime.
- The Avalanche have covered the puck line in nine of their last 10 home games.
- The Mammoth have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games after coming off overtime.
- The Mammoth have lost the second period in each of their last six games following an overtime win.
Total Goals Facts
- Seven of the Mammoth’s last eight games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Avalanche’s last five home games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Four of the last five games between teams from the same division have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Avalanche’s last seven home games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in seven of the Mammoth’s last eight games following a home win.
Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts
- Nathan MacKinnon has scored at least one goal in six of the Avalanche’s last seven home games.
- Nathan MacKinnon has recorded an assist in each of the Avalanche’s last six Tuesday games against Central Division opponents at Ball Arena.
Utah Mammoth Player Prop Facts
- Sean Durzi has recorded an assist in each of the Mammoth’s last four games.
- Logan Cooley has scored at least one goal in four of his last five appearances with the Mammoth as road underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
- Logan Cooley has scored the first goal in three of his last four appearances with the Mammoth as road underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
Avalanche vs Mammoth Prediction
Colorado comes into this matchup on another long winning streak and they continue to be the best team in the NHL. The Avalanche are 14-0-2 at home this year, while the Mammoth are 9-11-2 on the road. Utah has alternated wins and losses over their last five and nearly had a horrible collapse against the Jets last time out. Colorado has won five games in a row, with four of the five coming by at least two goals, so I will take the Avs to win by at least two goals once again here.