The Pepsi Center will be the site for an East-West matchup as the Colorado Avalanche face off against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins. It’s the final time that the two clubs will go at it in the regular season. The first puck will drop at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, December 18, and it’ll air live on Altitude Sports & Entertainment.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Colorado Avalanche Odds
Pittsburgh heads into the game as the heavy favorite with a moneyline of -165. The line for Colorado sits at +145, and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals. The odds for betting that total stand at -105 for the over and -115 on the under.
Pittsburgh is 17-17 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. 19 of its matches have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under and just one has pushed. As the road team this season, the Pens are 7-11 SU.
Pittsburgh has converted on 24.8 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s good enough for fifth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 18th overall, and it has successfully killed off 81.0 percent of all penalties.
The Pens, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.4 times per game this season, and 3.0 per game over its last five road outings. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 7.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 26.0 saves per game with a .906 save percentage, Matt Murray (13-10-1) has been the primary option in goal for Pittsburgh this season. If head coach Mike Sullivan chooses to rest him, however, the team might turn to Tristan Jarry (5-5-2), who has a .919 save percentage and 2.49 goals against average this year.
The visiting Penguins have relied heavily on Phil Kessel and Sidney Crosby this year. Kessel (38 points) has tallied 15 goals and 23 assists, and has recorded two or more points eight times. Crosby has 14 goals and 19 assists to his credit, and has registered a point in 20 games.
Colorado is 15-17 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 1.4 units this year. Through 32 regular season contests, 20 of its games have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and none have pushed. It’s 9-7 SU at home this season.
The Avalanche have converted on just 18.0 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.2 percent of all penalties.
Avalanche players have been sent to the penalty box 4.3 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their past five match ups. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 8.2 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Semyon Varlamov (28.9 saves per game) has been the top selection in goal for the Avalanche. Varlamov has 10 wins, 10 losses, and one overtime loss and has recorded a mediocre 3.08 goals against average and a subpar .906 save percentage this season.
Nathan MacKinnon (15 goals, 23 assists) will lead the offensive attack for the home team.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Colorado Avalanche Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
The total has gone over in three of Colorado’s last five games.
Pittsburgh has managed 26.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Colorado has been attempting 30.8 shots per game over its last five at home.
Four of Pittsburgh’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-0 in those games.
Pittsburgh skaters have accounted for the league’s eighth-most hits per game (23.4).
