The Colorado Avalanche will play the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Let’s take a look at the Avalanche preview, Blackhawks preview, betting matchup, and the Avalanche vs. Blackhawks prediction.
Avalanche Preview
The Colorado Avalanche are 36-19-5 this year and they have lost two of their last three games. Colorado is coming off of a home win against Dallas by a score of 5-1 in their last game. The Avalanche led 2-1 after the first period and they added three goals in the second period for the win. The Avs were out shot 34-27 and they went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Colorado lost to Toronto by a score of 4-3 and Detroit by a score of 2-1 in the two games prior to Dallas. The Avalanche are scoring 3.65 goals per game and they are allowing 3.13 goals against per game, while going 23.7% on the power play and 81% on the penalty kill. Nathan MacKinnon has led Colorado with 35 goals, 63 assists, and 288 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Colorado is Alexandar Georgiev, who is 31-14-3 this season with a 2.88 goals against average and a .900 save percentage.
Blackhawks Preview
The Chicago Blackhawks are 15-39-5 this season and they have lost four games in a row and 12 of their last 13. Chicago is coming off of a home loss against the Red Wings in overtime by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Chicago led 2-1 in the third period, but they allowed Detroit to tie the game late in the third and win it in overtime on a goal by Kane. The Blackhawks out shot Detroit by a total of 36-31 and went 1-1 on the power play in the game. Chicago has also lost to Winnipeg, Philadelphia, and Carolina during this losing streak. The Blackhawks are scoring 2.07 goals per game and they are allowing 3.51 goals against per game, while going 13.3% on the power play and 77.7% on the penalty kill. Connor Bedard has led Chicago with 17 goals, 23 assists, and 135 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Chicago is Petr Mrazek, who is 13-22-4 this year with a 2.99 goals against average and a .909 save percentage.
Chicago Blackhawks Team Facts
- The Blackhawks have lost each of their last 10 games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
- The home team has covered the puck line in each of the last five games between the Avalanche and Blackhawks.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in five of the Blackhawks’ last six home games against the Avalanche.
- The Blackhawks have lost the first period in seven of their last eight night games.
Colorado Avalanche Team Facts
- The Avalanche have won seven of their last eight night games against the Blackhawks following a win.
- The Avalanche have covered the puck line in 10 of their last 12 games against the Blackhawks following a win.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in five of the Avalanche’s last six games at United Center.
- The Avalanche have won the second period in five of their last six games as favorites.
Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Facts
- Nick Foligno has recorded at least one point in eight of the Blackhawks’ last nine games as underdogs.
- Taylor Hall has recorded at least one assist in three of his last four appearances against the Avalanche.
- Connor Bedard has recorded two assists against the Avalanche this season – equal-most against any opponent.
Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts
- Cale Makar has scored a goal in each of his four previous appearances against the Blackhawks at United Center.
- Gabriel Landeskog has recorded at least one point in seven of his last eight appearances against the Blackhawks.
- Nathan MacKinnon has recorded at least one assist in each of his last seven appearances against Western Conference opponents.
- Nathan MacKinnon ranks 1st in the league for multi-assist games (18) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Chicago Blackhawks rank T27th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.51).
- The Chicago Blackhawks rank 32nd in the league for Period 2 goals scored per game this season (0.68).
- The Colorado Avalanche rank T2nd in the league for power play goals this season (51).
- The Colorado Avalanche are one of only two teams to win 15+ games when tied or trailing after Period 2 this season.
Avalanche vs Blackhawks Betting Prediction
Chicago comes into this matchup as one of the worst teams in the NHL and they have committed to tanking in hopes of another first overall pick. The Blackhawks have lost 12 of their last 13 games and they are scoring just 2.07 goals against per game this year. Chicago is 11-15-4 at home, while Colorado is 13-13-5 on the road. The Avalanche are coming off of a big win against Dallas, but they have had some issues on the road this season. While I know Colorado isn’t the best on the road, I simply can’t take Chicago with how they have played over the last few weeks. Take Colorado -1.5 here.