The Colorado Avalanche (20-16-3) face the Chicago Blackhawks (10-25-4) Thursday at United Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Avalanche vs. Blackhawks odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Avalanche were on the short end of a 5-4 setback against the Florida Panthers at Ball Arena last time out on Tuesday. The defending champs are in the midst of an ugly 1-5-1 skid.
The Blackhawks have won back-to-back games with a 2-0 win over the Arizona Coyotes on Friday, and a 4-3 win in overtime against the Calgary Flames on Sunday. Who could have predicted Chicago would have more wins than Colorado in the new year?
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Avalanche at Blackhawks odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:14 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Avalanche -310 (bet $310 to win $100) | Blackhawks +255 (bet $100 to win $255)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche -1.5 (-125) | Blackhawks +1.5 (+105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Avalanche at Blackhawks projected goalies
Alexandar Georgiev (16-11-3, 2.75 GAA, .915 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Petr Mrazek (2-10-1, 4.19 GAA, .878 SV%)
Georgiev coughed up 5 goals on 37 shots in a 5-4 loss against the Panthers last time out, and he has allowed 3 or more goals in 6 of the last 7 starts since Dec. 27. He is 1-5-1 across the nosedive.
Mrazek was knocked around for 5 goals on 28 shots last time out against the San Jose Sharks on New Year’s Day. He has lost 5 consecutive starts, allowing 3 or more goals in each of those assignments.
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Avalanche at Blackhawks picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 5, Blackhawks 4
Moneyline
The Avalanche (-310) will cost you 3 times your potential return, and that’s risky any time, let alone with a team playing terrible hockey lately. Plus, the defending champs are on the road.
PASS.
The BLACKHAWKS +1.5 (+105) are a risky play at home, but it has 2 straight victories, while the Avalanche -1.5 (-125) has managed a 1-5-1 record across the past 7 games overall.
There is plenty of risk, as the Avalanche has won 5 in a row against the Blackhawks, while going 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Chicago.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (+100) is 4-1-1 in the past 6 meetings in this series.
In addition, both Georgiev and Mrazek are struggling to stop pucks. The Over has been the rule in this series, and the Over is 5-2 in the last 7 home games for the Blackhawks.
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