The Chicago Blackhawks (15-9-7) are on the road for a meeting with the Colorado Avalanche (28-8-3) Monday. Puck drop at Ball Arena is set for 9 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Blackhawks vs. Avalanche odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Blackhawks are on a three-game losing skid and have dropped six of their last 10 outings. Chicago has struggled all season with offensive production and rank 29th with 2.3 goals per game and 28.5 shots per game.
The Avalanche started the season with six losses in their first 10 outings, but have just five losses across 29 games since Nov. 11. Colorado has made some recent affairs more difficult than expected, however, with overtime and shootout victories over the Montreal Canadiens and Arizona Coyotes in the last two weeks. The Avs average a league-high 4.2 goals per game.
Blackhawks at Avalanche odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:53 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Blackhawks +230 (bet $100 to win $230) | Avalanche -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Blackhawks +1.5 (+105) | Avalanche -1.5 (-130)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +105 | U: -130)
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Blackhawks at Avalanche projected goalies
Marc-Andre Fleury (13-12-3, 2.79 GAA, .913 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Pavel Francouz (5-1-0, 2.40 GAA, .922 SV%, 1 SO)
Fleury has had a number of good performances over the last couple of weeks prior to his last outing. Before being shelled for 4 goals on 13 shots Friday against the Minnesota Wild he had allowed 2 or fewer goals in five consecutive starts. Fleury is 0-1-1 with a 4.03 GAA and .884 SV% in two starts against Colorado this season.
Despite Francouz’s high winning percentage, he only has one quality start, which was Colorado’s 2-0 victory at the Anaheim Ducks Wednesday. Francouz is 2-0 overall versus Chicago in his career with a .956 SV% and a 1.50 GAA in two career starts.
Blackhawks at Avalanche odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Colorado 4, Chicago 2
Money line
The Avalanche (-300) are likely the right side of this game on home ice but you shouldn’t pay three times your potential return. Even the regulation time odds are too steep to represent good value.
PASS.
Against the spread
Even the value here is kind of lacking, but it’s likely the best play you can get on the outcome of this game. Colorado is very proficient offensively and is up against a team that’s struggled to find the back of the net.
Both goaltenders have posted similar numbers on the whole for the year, but Fleury has definitely struggled more in this particular matchup than Francouz. Look for more of the same tonight at Ball Arena.
Consider a partial-unit play on COLORADO -1.5 (-130).
Over/Under
Both goaltenders have posted mostly solid numbers in January and should be able to limit the opposition — within reason. The Avalanche are more likely to get theirs versus Fleury, but it’s unlikely to get out of control. Both previous games have floated around this number, but I’m siding with the UNDER 6.5 (-130).
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