The Colorado Avalanche and the Pittsburgh Penguins meet in NHL action from PPG Paints Arena on Thursday night.

Avalanche Remain Unbeaten

The Colorado Avalanche come into this one on the heels of their 7-4 win over the Islanders last time out to improve to 6-0 on the year. Mikko Rantanen has a team-high 12 points including 5 goals and 7 assists while Cale Makar has 9 points with 3 goals and 6 assists. Nathan MacKinnon has 7 points with 4 goals and 3 apples while Artturi Lehkonen and Valeri Nichushkin each have 6 points with a combined 9 assists. Ryan Johansen also has 5 points with 4 goals. Alexandar Georgiev has started all 6 games for Colorado, going 6-0 with a 1.98 GAA and a .930 save percentage this season.

Colorado Avalanche Team Facts

• The Avalanche have won each of their last six games.
• The underdogs have covered the puck line in eight of the Avalanche’s last nine games at PPG Paints Arena.
• The ‘Under 0.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Avalanche’s last three games as favorites against the Penguins.
• The Avalanche have won the third period in each of their last four games against opponents on a losing streak.

Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts

• Jonathan Drouin has recorded at least one point in each of his last five appearances against the Penguins.
• Valeri Nichushkin has recorded at least one assist in each of the Avalanche’s last four games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Nathan MacKinnon has scored at least one goal in four of the Avalanche’s last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Ryan Johansen ranks T1st in the league for Power Play Goals (3) this season.

Pittsburgh Drops 3rd Straight

The Pittsburgh Penguins come into this game on the heels of a 3rd straight loss after a 4-1 loss to Dallas last time out. Evgeni Malkin leads the Penguins with 8 points including 4 goals and 4 assists while Jake Guentzel has 7 points with a team-high 6 assists. Sidney Crosby has 6 points with 3 goals and 3 assists while Bryan Rust has a team-high 5 goals. Kris Letang has 4 assists while Erik Karlsson has 4 points with 3 goals and Reilly Smith has 2 goals and 2 assists. Tristan Jarry has gone 1-3 with a 2.81 GAA and an .892 save percentage while Alex Nedeljkovic has a 1-1 record with a 3.01 GAA and a .914 save percentage this season.

Pittsburgh Penguins Team Facts

• The Penguins have won four of their last five games as home underdogs following a home loss.
• The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the last six games between the Avalanche and Penguins.
• The Penguins have lost the second period in each of their last six games as home underdogs.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last 12 games as home underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.

Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts

• Sidney Crosby has recorded a point in each of the Penguins’ last seven games as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
• Evgeni Malkin has recorded at least one assist in each of his last four home appearances against the Avalanche after playing less than 20 minutes in the Penguins’ last game.
• Bryan Rust has scored at least one goal in each of the Penguins’ last four games as underdogs.
• Jake Guentzel has the most multi-assist games for the Penguins this season (2).

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pittsburgh Penguins ranks T1st in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (0).
• The Pittsburgh Penguins ranks T1st in the league for opponent goals in Period 1 per game this season (0.33).
• The Colorado Avalanche ranks T2nd in the league for goals per game this season (4.50).
• The Colorado Avalanche ranks T3rd in the league for goals against per game this season (2.00).

Chris’ Pick

I’m looking at the Avalanche here. Until I have a reason not to, I’m simply not going against this Colorado team, especially when we’re getting reasonable prices. The offense continues to show up, the defense has been solid more often than not, and the Penguins are at a point where they’re really showing their age. Give me Colorado here for another victory.