The Pittsburgh Penguins (34-26-10) play the 1st contest in a 2-game Western Conference road trip Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche (41-22-6). Puck drop from Ball Arena is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Penguins vs. Avalanche odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Penguins are just 1 point out of the 2nd wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference behind the Florida Panthers, although Pittsburgh does have a game in hand. The Pens have dropped 4 straight games, and Pittsburgh has totaled just 3 goals in the last 3 contests.
The Avalanche are rounding into championship form, winning 6 consecutive outings. Since a shutout loss at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 9, Colorado has racked up 79 goals in the last 19 games, or 4.16 goals per game (GPG).
This is the final regular-season meetings. The Penguins won the 1st meeting 2-1 in overtime on Feb. 7, as Casey DeSmith helped Pittsburgh to a win over Pavel Francouz.
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Penguins at Avalanche odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:13 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Penguins +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Avalanche -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Penguins +1.5 (-180) | Avalanche -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Penguins at Avalanche projected goalies
Tristan Jarry (20-10-6, 3.01 GAA, .907 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Alexandar Georgiev (32-14-5, 2.53 GAA, .920 SV%, 5 SO)
Jarry is winless in 4 straight starts, including regulation losses in each of the last 3 outings. A lack of offensive support hasn’t helped, as the Pens have provided just 3 goals of offense in the last 3 starts by Jarry.
Georgiev turned aside all 27 of the shots he faced in a 5-0 win against the Chicago Blackhawks, and he has picked up wins in 5 straight starts. In 9 starts in the month of March, Georgiev is 6-2-1 with a 2.32 GAA and .907 SV% with a shutout.
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Penguins at Avalanche picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 4, Penguins 2
Moneyline
The AVALANCHE (-155) are a strong play as moderate favorites. Colorado has been rolling up the offense, while getting tremendous goaltending lately.
On the flip side, the Penguins (+135) have been having a power outage at the very worst time, as every point in every game is precious, as it is teetering on making or missing the playoffs.
Puck line/Against the spread
The AVALANCHE -1.5 (+155) are worth playing on the puck line.
Colorado has cashed on the puck line in each of the last 2 outings, and it is 7-4 on the puck line in the last 11 games when favored.
On the flip side, the Penguins +1.5 (-180) have dropped 4 in a row, while losing 3 of those outings by 2 or more goals.
Over/Under
The UNDER 6.5 (-115) is the best play on the board, as the Penguins have really struggled to light the lamp lately.
The Under is 5-1 in the last 6 games overall for the Pens, while going 51 in the last 6 games on the road, too. The Under is 6-0 in the last 6 games against Central Division foes, too.
For the Avs, the Under is 4-1 in the last 5 games at home, while cashing in 5 of the last 6 games against Metropolitan Division teams, too.
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For sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Plus, try out the USA TODAY Parlay Calculator and please gamble responsibly.
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