The Colorado Avalanche (19-14-3) meet the Vancouver Canucks (16-18-3) Thursday at Rogers Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Avalanche vs. Canucks odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The defending champs are on a slide, going 0-3-1 in the last 4 games, including an 0-2-1 skid in 3 games at home. Defense and goaltending has gone south, allowing a total of 20 goals during the 4-game stretch.
The Canucks have dropped 3 in a row, including a 6-2 spanking at home from the New York Islanders on Tuesday. Vancouver has also struggled on defense and goaltending, as it has allowed 13 goals in the 3-game skid.
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Avalanche at Canucks odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:09 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Avalanche -155 (bet $155 to win $100) | Canucks +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche -1.5 (+145) | Canucks +1.5 (-190)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Avalanche at Canucks projected goalies
Alexander Georgiev (15-9-3, 2.68 GAA, .915 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Spencer Martin (11-7-1, 3.63 GAA, .883 SV%)
Georgiev allowed 3 goals on 28 shots last time out against the Vegas Golden Knights Monday in a loss, and he has coughed up 17 goals on his past 111 shots in 4 starts. He hasn’t won since Dec. 23 in Nashville.
Martin was socked around for 5 goals on 28 shots in the 6-2 loss to the Islanders, and he has allowed 5 or more goals in 4 of the last 6 appearances. He allowed 3 goals on 36 shots in a 4-3 win in Colorado in his 1st start against the Avs this season.
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Avalanche at Canucks picks and predictions
Prediction
Canucks 5, Avalanche 4
Moneyline
The CANUCKS (+135) are worth a roll of the dice in a battle between 2 teams not playing very well, and in a game between 2 teams with ice-cold goalies.
Vancouver has actually posted a 31-14 record in the past 45 meetings against Colorado, while going 14-6 in the last 20 home games against the defending champs.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Canucks +1.5 (-190) are a little on the expensive side, costing you nearly 2 times your potential return if you need insurance and can’t stomach the idea of playing them straight up.
AVOID.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (+100) is the best play on the board, as both Georgiev and Martin have really struggled lately.
In addition, the Over is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings in this series, and an impressive 5-0-1 in the last 6 meetings in Vancouver.
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