The Colorado Avalanche (35-9-4) travel to meet the Boston Bruins (28-17-4) Monday at TD Garden. Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we look at the Avalanche vs. Bruins odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Avalanche topped the Buffalo Sabres 5-3 Saturday behind Darcy Kuemper. It was the seventh consecutive victory on the road for Colorado. It is also 5-1 in the previous six games against teams with a winning overall record.
The Bruins registered a 3-2 overtime win in Ottawa Saturday, rebounding from a 4-1 loss at N.Y. Islanders Thursday. Unfortunately for the B’s, their only two victories in the past six outings since the start of February are against the Sens.
Avalanche at Bruins 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 7:20 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Avalanche -170 (bet $170 to win $100) | Bruins +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
- Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche -1.5 (+145) | Bruins +1.5 (-190)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -140 | U: +112)
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Avalanche at Bruins projected goalies
Darcy Kuemper (25-5-2, 2.40 GAA, .920 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Jeremy Swayman (10-7-3, 2.14 GAA, .923 SV%, 2 SO)
Kuemper won his fourth consecutive start with 29 saves on 32 shots in a 5-3 win at Buffalo Saturday. The Avalanche are now 18-0-2 across his past 20 starts, with Kuemper’s last win in regulation coming Nov. 26 in Dallas.
Swayman turned aside 29 of the 31 shots he faced in Ottawa Saturday, and he is now 2-1-1 with a 1.46 GAA and .950 SV% with one shutout in four outings in the month of February.
Avalanche at Bruins odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 4, Bruins 2
Money line
Not only is the AVALANCHE (-170) a perfect 7-0 in the previous seven road outings, but they have had a firm grasp of this series in recent seasons, too. In fact, it’s rather amazing, but the Avs are 11-1 in the past 12 trips to Boston, while the Bruins (+135) are just 1-7 in the previous eight meetings overall.
Against the spread
The AVALANCHE -1.5 (+133) are a little better of a value on the puck line rather than straight up, where they’ll cost you nearly two times your potential return. The first two wins on the road trip have been by two or more goals, and each of the past seven wins on the road have been by multiple scores.
Over/Under
OVER 5.5 (-140) is a little expensive for my liking, and with two solid goaltenders in net, it won’t be going over much. In fact, it might come down to a late empty-net goal to push this across the finish line. Still, the Over is 6-2 in the past eight at home for the B’s, and 4-1-1 in the past six as an underdog. The Over is the lean here.
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