Nationwide Arena plays host to an East-West tilt as the Colorado Avalanche pay a visit to Ohio to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. It’s the final time that the two clubs will go at it in the regular season. The action will get underway at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 8, and it’s being televised live on Altitude Sports & Entertainment.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Colorado is 35-31 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 8.7 units this season. 35 of its matches have gone over the total, while 27 have gone under and just four have pushed. As an away team in 2017-18, the Avs are 12-21 SU.
Colorado has converted on 20.3 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, it has the third-strongest penalty kill in the league, and it has successfully killed off 83.2 percent of its penalties.
The Avs, as a collective unit, have been sent to the penalty box 4.1 times per game overall this season, 3.8 per game over its last five outings total, and 3.8 per game over its last five on the road. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 8.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 28.3 saves per game with a .914 save percentage, Semyon Varlamov (19-21-5) has been the best option in goal for Colorado this season. If head coach Jared Bednar decides to rest him, however, the team may turn to Jonathan Bernier (17-13-2 record, .914 save percentage, 2.82 goals against average).
Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen will both lead the way for the visiting Avalanche. MacKinnon (78 points) has tallied 32 goals and 46 assists, and has recorded two or more points 22 times. Rantanen has 22 goals and 42 assists to his name, and has registered at least one point in 40 games.
Columbus is 34-33 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.5 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 36 of its matches have gone under the total, while 30 have gone over and just one has pushed. It’s 20-13 SU as the home team this year.
The Blue Jackets have converted on just 14.4 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that places them in the bottom overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 26th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.2 percent of all penalties.
Blue Jackets skaters have been penalized only 3.0 times per game in total this season, and 2.2 per game over their last five at home. The team’s had to kill penalties just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Sergei Bobrovsky has stopped 28.1 shots per game as the primary netminder in goal for the Blue Jackets. Bobrovsky has 28 wins, 26 losses, and five overtime losses and has maintained a 2.44 goals against average and a .920 save percentage this season.
Artemi Panarin (21 goals, 37 assists) will pace the offensive attack for the Jackets.
Colorado Avalanche at Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Columbus (6-4 in shootouts this season) has significantly more experience in games decided by shootout. Colorado has only participated in two shootouts this year, winning one and losing the other.
The over has hit in four of Columbus’ last five games.
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