In this article, we will formulate a Colorado Avalanche vs Utah Hockey Club prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, December 12th 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 17-13-0 this year after they defeated Pittsburgh by a score of 6-2 in their last game. Colorado had their lead cut to 3-2 in the second period, but they scored the last three goals in the game for the win. The Avalanche recorded 27 shots on goal, won 38.2% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Colorado got goals from Lehkonen, MacKinnon, Nichushkin, and Rantanen (3), while Wedgewood stopped 25 out of 27 shots in the game.
Prior to that win, the Avalanche defeated the Devils by a score of 4-0 and the Red Wings by a score of 2-1. Colorado has scored 3.33 goals per game and they have allowed 3.50 goals against per game, while also going 25.3% on the power play and 75% on the penalty kill this season. Nathan MacKinnon has led Colorado with 10 goals, 36 assists, and 119 shots on goal, while Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to start in net.
Utah Hockey Club Betting Preview
The Utah Hockey Club are 12-11-5 this season after they lost to Minnesota in a shootout by a score of 5-4 in their last game. Utah led 4-3 late in the third, but they allowed Minnesota to force overtime, where they lost in a shootout. The Hockey Club was outshot by a total of 38-25, won 53% of the face-offs, and went 2-3 on the power play in the game. Utah got goals from Keller (2), Stenlund, and Valimaki, while Vejmelka stopped 34 out of 38 shots in the loss.
Prior to that game, the Hockey Club defeated the Flyers by a score of 4-2 and the Sabres by a score of 5-2. Utah has scored 2.96 goals per game and they have allowed 2.96 goals against per game, while also going 16.9% on the power play and 78.2% on the penalty kill this season. Clayton Keller has led Utah with nine goals, 17 assists, and 68 shots on goal, while Karel Vejmelka is 4-7-2 with a 2.45 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage this year.
Why the Avalanche will beat the Hockey Club
- The Avalanche have won eight of their last nine night games at Ball Arena following a road win.
- Utah has lost five of its last six night games against Western Conference opponents.
- Utah has failed to cover the puck line in three of its last four games as an underdog against Central Division opponents.
- Utah has lost the second period in each of its last four games as an underdog against Central Division opponents.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the last five games between teams from the same division has gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of Utah’s four previous games as an underdog against opponents on a winning streak has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Three of the Avalanche’s last four home games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2’ market has hit in each of Utah’s last nine games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Avalanche’s last five games following a road win.
Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts
- Valeri Nichushkin has scored at least one goal in eight of his last nine appearances against Central Division opponents.
- Devon Toews has recorded at least one point in each of the Avalanche’s last eight Thursday home games.
- Nathan MacKinnon has recorded at least one assist in 30 of the Avalanche’s last 36 games against Western Conference opponents at Ball Arena.
Utah Hockey Club Player Prop Facts
- Kevin Stenlund has scored a goal in each of Utah’s last three games.
- Mikhail Sergachev has recorded a point in each of Utah’s last six road games.
- Dylan Guenther has recorded an assist in each of Utah’s last six road games.
Colorado Avalanche vs Utah Hockey Club Prediction
Colorado comes into this matchup on a three-game winning streak and they have won 11 of their last 16 games. The Avalanche are 7-7-0 at home this year, while the Hockey Club are 8-6-2 on the road. Utah has won two of their last three games, but they are scoring fewer than three goals per game and their power play hasn’t been great this year. Colorado is playing some of their best hockey of the season and I like that to continue here. Take the Avs -1.5 in this game.