Blue Jackets vs Avalanche Prediction
The Avalanche are on the end of a back-to-back and haven’t been as dominant lately as they’ve been in past years. I understand why they’re not getting as much respect in the betting market lately. However, the Avs are finding their form lately and showing signs of getting their act together. While the Blue Jackets have played their best hockey at home this season, they have had issues stepping up in competition. The defense can’t be trusted, and Columbus comes up small often against the better teams in the league.
Even with the schedule spot, it’s odd seeing the Avs as such a small favorite. I don’t like the Blue Jackets against good competition. They have to show up for something. I’ll gladly take the Avalanche at this soft price.
Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview
The Colorado Avalanche beat the Blackhawks and Flames, and they play the Predators next. The Avalanche have won 4 of their last 5 games.
The Colorado Avalanche are averaging 4.27 goals per game and are scoring on 20.4 percent of their power play opportunities. Artturi Lehkonen leads Colorado with 12 goals, Nathan MacKinnon has 16 assists, and Cale Makar has 39 shots on goal. Defensively, the Colorado Avalanche are allowing 3 goals per game and are killing 79.1 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Mackenzie Blackwood has given up 29 goals on 286 shots faced, and Scott Wedgewood has allowed 14 goals on 126 shots.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets lost to the Hurricanes and Stars, and they play the Stars next. The Blue Jackets have lost 6 of their last 9 games.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 2.33 goals per game and are scoring on 12.9 percent of their power play opportunities. Kent Johnson leads Columbus with 7 goals, Zach Werenski has 10 assists, and Adam Fantilli has 36 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3.25 goals per game and are killing 73 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jet Greaves has allowed 21 goals on 180 shots faced, and Cam Talbot has given up 15 goals on 142 shots.
Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win
- The Blue Jackets have won each of their last four games as an underdog when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Avalanche have lost five of their last seven games as road favorites.
- The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Avalanche have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last three games following a road win.
- The Avalanche have lost the third period in seven of their last eight games as road favorites against Eastern Conference opponents when tied after the second period.
Why the Colorado Avalanche will win
- The Blue Jackets have lost each of their last seven home games following a road loss.
- The Avalanche have won seven of their last eight road games following a road win.
- The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven home games following a road loss.
- The Avalanche have covered the puck line in each of their last five games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Avalanche have won the third period in each of their last six games against the Blue Jackets when leading after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Avalanche’s last six games has gone OVER the total goals line.
- Five of the Blue Jackets’ last six home games against Central Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2’ market has hit in each of the Avalanche’s last nine road games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in 12 of the Blue Jackets’ last 13 games as underdogs.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Denton Mateychuk has scored a goal in three of the Blue Jackets’ last four games.
- Zach Werenski has recorded an assist in four of the Blue Jackets’ last five games as underdogs.
- Zach Werenski ranks 1st in the league for average time on ice (28:50) this season.
Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts
- Nathan MacKinnon has scored at least one goal in each of his last four appearances after playing less than 20 minutes the previous day.
- Martin Necas has recorded at least one assist in five of his last six appearances against the Blue Jackets.
- Artturi Lehkonen ranks T1st in the league for multi-goal games (4) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 29th in the league for goals per game this season (2.33).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 29th in the league in power play percentage this season (12.90%).
- The Colorado Avalanche rank 1st in the league for goals per game this season (4.27).
- The Colorado Avalanche have recorded the most wins by a margin of 3+ goals this season (8).