Two teams facing each other for the second time this year, the Colorado Avalanche and the Chicago Blackhawks clash at the United Center for a Central Division tilt. The match gets underway at 8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 6, and it will be broadcasted live on WGN Channel 9.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds
Colorado is 35-30 straight up (SU) and has earned 9.7 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 65 regular season outings, 35 of its games have gone over the total, while 26 have gone under and just four have pushed. The Avs are 12-20 SU as an away team in 2017-18.
Colorado has converted on 20.2 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked fifth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.0 percent of all penalties.
The Avs, as a collective unit, have been sent to the penalty box 4.1 times per game during the 2017-18 season, 4.6 per game over its past five matchups total, and 4.6 per game over its last five road outings. The team’s had to kill penalties 11.4 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Averaging 28.4 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, Semyon Varlamov (19-20-4) has been the best option in goal for Colorado this season. If head coach Jared Bednar chooses to rest him, however, Colorado might turn to Jonathan Bernier (17-13-2), who has a .914 save percentage and 2.82 goals against average this year.
Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Avalanche. MacKinnon has 77 points on 31 goals and 46 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 22 different games. Rantanen has 22 goals and 42 assists to his name, and has logged at least one point in 39 games.
On the other bench, Chicago is 28-38 straight up (SU) and has lost 14.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 66 regular season outings, 34 of its games have gone under the total, while 29 have gone over and just three have pushed. It’s 15-17 SU at home this year.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 15.9 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the bottom overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 12th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Chicago players have been called for penalties only 3.5 times per game in total this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five home outings. The team has had to kill penalties just 5.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford has denied 27.9 shots per game as the primary option in goal for the Blackhawks. Crawford has 16 wins, 12 losses, and two OT losses to his credit and has registered a 2.27 goals against average and a .929 save percentage this year.
The Hawks offense will be led by Patrick Kane (24 goals, 38 assists).
Colorado Avalanche vs. Chicago Blackhawks Free Picks
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Chicago is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Colorado is 1-1 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in three of Chicago’s last five outings.
Colorado has managed 30.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Chicago has been attempting 38.0 shots per game over its last five at home.
