In this article we will formulate a Blues vs Avalanche prediction for this NHL game on Sunday, February 23rd at the Enterprise Center in Saint Louis, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
St. Louis Blues Betting Preview
The St. Louis Blues are 25-26-6 this year after they lost to Winnipeg in a shootout by a score of 4-3 in their last game. St. Louis scored two goals in the third period to take a 3-2 lead, but they allowed the tying goal with about 30 seconds left, before losing in the shootout. The Blues were out shot by a total of 28-24, won 67.3% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. St. Louis got goals from Buchnevich and Thomas (2), while Hofer stopped 25 out of 27 shots in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Blues defeated the Blackhawks by a score of 6-5, but did lose to the Panthers by a score of 3-2 before that. St. Louis has lost seven of their last nine games and they are currently sixth in the Central standings with 56 points. St. Louis has scored 2.70 goals per game and they have allowed 3.05 goals against per game, while also going 19% on the power play and 71.3% on the penalty kill this season. Jordan Kyrou has led St. Louis with 23 goals, 21 assists, and 159 shots on goal, while Robert Thomas has added 13 goals, 28 assists, and 104 shots on goal. Jordan Binnington is 15-19-4 with a 2.89 goals against average and an .896 save percentage this season.
Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview
The Colorado Avalanche are 33-23-2 this season after they lost to Nashville by a score of 2-1 in their last game. Colorado led 1-0 in the second period, but they allowed the last two goals in the game for the loss. The Avalanche out shot Nashville by a total of 32-17, won 46.9% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Colorado got their lone goal from Malinski, while Wedgewood stopped 15 out of 17 shots in the loss.
Prior to that game, the Avalanche defeated the Oilers by a score of 5-4 and the Flames by a score of 4-2. Colorado has won four of their last six games and they are currently fourth in the Central standings with 68 points. Colorado has scored 3.25 goals per game and they have allowed 3.04 goals against per game, while also averaging 21.3% on the power play and 79.6% on the penalty kill this season. Nathan MacKinnon has led Colorado with 21 goals, 66 assists, and 235 shots on goal, while Cale Makar has added 22 goals, 41 assists, and 179 shots on goal. Mackenzie Blackwood is 14-6-2 with a 2.13 goals against average and a .922 save percentage this year.
Why the Avalanche will beat the Blues
- The Avalanche have won each of their last 10 games at Enterprise Center.
- The Blues have lost six of their last seven games at Enterprise Center.
- The Avalanche have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight road games following a road loss.
- The Blues have failed to cover the puck line in three of their last four games against Western Conference opponents after coming off overtime.
- The Avalanche have won the third period in each of their last five night games at Enterprise Center.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Avalanche’s last five games at Enterprise Center following a road loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Five of the Blues’ last six home games against Central Division opponents have gone OVER 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 2′ market has hit in each of the Blues’ last nine games following a shootout loss.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Avalanche’s last five games as favorites against the Blues.
St. Louis Blues Player Prop Facts
- Robert Thomas has recorded an assist in each of the Blues’ last five games against opponents who are playing on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- Jordan Kyrou has scored at least one goal in each of his last four home appearances after playing less than 20 minutes the previous day.
- Jordan Kyrou has recorded at least one point in each of his last 10 home appearances after playing less than 20 minutes the previous day.
Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts
- Valeri Nichushkin has scored a goal in nine of his last 10 road appearances against Western Conference opponents.
- Valeri Nichushkin has recorded at least one point in each of his last 11 road appearances against Western Conference opponents.
- Nathan MacKinnon has recorded at least one assist in each of the Avalanche’s last 12 Sunday games against Western Conference opponents.
Blues vs Avalanche Prediction
St. Louis comes into this matchup after a tough loss on Saturday night, but they will try to bounce back at home here. The Blues are 12-14-3 at home this year, while the Avalanche are 17-13-0 on the road. Colorado played a pretty bad game against Nashville on Saturday in a loss, but I do expect them to be more prepared for this game. The Avalanche are the way better team in this matchup and I think they will bounce back against this St. Louis team that has been brutal on the penalty kill. Take the Avs here.