The Colorado Avalanche and Pittsburgh Penguins meet Tuesday in NHL action at the PPG Paints Arena. Here’s a Penguins vs. Avalanche Prediction. This article will include a Penguins vs. Avalanche Pick.
Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview
The Colorado Avalanche beat the Blackhawks and Capitals and will play the Jets next. The Avalanche has split their last 8 games.
The Colorado Avalanche is averaging 3.68 goals per game and is scoring on 16.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Nathan MacKinnon leads Colorado with 45 goals, Martin Necas has 54 assists, and Cale Makar has 185 shots on goal. Defensively, the Colorado Avalanche are allowing 2.45 goals per game and are killing 82.8 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Scott Wedgewood has given up 79 goals on 937 shots faced, and Mackenzie Blackwood has allowed 71 goals on 752 shots.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Jets and lost to the Hurricanes and play the Senators next. The Penguins have lost 7 of their last 11 games.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 3.41 goals per game and are scoring 24.6 percent of their power play opportunities. Sidney Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 28 goals, Erik Karlsson has 43 assists, and Bryan Rust has 166 shots on goal. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 2.99 goals per game and are killing 83.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Arturs Silovs has allowed 94 goals on 874 shots faced, while Tristan Jarry has given up 36 goals on 396 shots.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win
- The Penguins have won each of their last five games against Central Division opponents.
- The Avalanche have lost two of their last three games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Penguins have covered the puck line in 10 of their last 11 games as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
- The Avalanche have failed to cover the puck line in 10 of their last 11 road games following a road win.
- The Penguins have won the second period in eight of their last nine games against Western Conference opponents when tied after the first period.
Why the Colorado Avalanche will win
- The Penguins have lost each of their last six games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Avalanche have won eight of their last nine road games.
- The road team has covered the puck line in 10 of the Penguins’ last 11 games.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five home games.
- The Penguins have lost the second period in eight of their last nine home games when trailing after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Penguins’ last nine games as home underdogs following a home loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Seven of the Avalanche’s last eight night games against Metropolitan Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last six games against Central Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in 14 of the Avalanche’s last 16 games after coming off overtime.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Bryan Rust has scored at least one goal in each of the Penguins’ last four games at home as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
- Evgeni Malkin has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six home appearances against the Avalanche.
Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts
- Martin Necas has scored a goal in seven of the Avalanche’s last eight road games.
- Martin Necas has recorded at least one assist in each of his last eight appearances with his team as a road favorite against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Nathan MacKinnon has scored the first goal in three of the Avalanche’s last four road games against the Penguins.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 2nd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (83.17%).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 5th in the league in power play percentage this season (24.62%).
- The Colorado Avalanche rank 1st in the league for goals per game this season (3.68).
- The Colorado Avalanche rank 1st in the league for goals against per game this season (2.45).
Penguins vs Avalanche Prediction
The Avalanche are going to be favored for obvious reasons, as they’re the better team and not a side you want to step in front of often. However, the Avs have been beatable at times recently and the Penguins are a group fighting for a playoff spot. The Penguins are getting healthier and they did beat the Avalanche last week on the road, scoring seven goals in the process. The PPG Paints Arena should be rocking, as this is a big game in terms of playoffs but also a measuring stick contest for the home team. I’ll take a shot with the plus money.