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The Boston Bruins (2-2-0) take on the winless Colorado Avalanche (0-3-0) Wednesday. Puck drop from Ball Arena is set for 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Bruins vs. Avalanche odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Tied 1-1 last season
The B’s enter Denver 2-0 against everyone not named the Florida Panthers. They’re already 0-2 against Florida after a 4-3 home loss as -122 favorites against the defending champs Monday. RW David Pastrnak ended his 3-game goal streak with no points and just 2 shots on goal. Florida was 1-for-5 on the power play, and Boston was 0-for-4, which was the difference.
The Avs are tied for 3rd on the PP at 33.3%, but their problem is they are last with 6.67 goals allowed per game and 31st with a 57.1% penalty kill. They have allowed 6+ goals in all 3 games thus far, and 2 of those were against Columbus and the New York Islanders. C Nathan MacKinnon is doing his part with 1 goal and 4 assists thus far.
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Bruins at Avalanche odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 2:16 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Bruins +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Avalanche -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Bruins +1.5 (-225) | Avalanche -1.5 (+180)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -115 | U: +105)
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Bruins at Avalanche projected goalies
Jeremy Swayman (2-1-0, 2.98 GAA, .893 SV%) vs. Alexandar Georgiev (0-2-0, 6.58 GAA, .787 SV%)
Swayman dropped a 4-3 game Monday to the Panthers. He stopped 22 of 26 fired his way. That is now, quietly, 2 of 3 games he has allowed 4 goals. That’s something to keep an eye on as we progress because the team shipped G Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators in the offseason. Swayman faced the Avs twice last season, and despite dropping one via a shootout, he was great in both. He stopped 63 of 68 for a 2.40 GAA and .926 SV%
Georgiev has gotten off to a rough start, allowing 5 goals in the Oct. 9 season opener, 3 before being pulled against Columbus Saturday and 5 more against the Isles Monday. This is a situation the team may have to shore up before the trade deadline. Georgiev faced Boston twice last season and was so-so. He allowed 7 goals on 56 shots for a 3.40 GAA.
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Bruins at Avalanche picks and predictions
Prediction
Bruins 4, Avalanche 3
Moneyline
The odds were tilting the Avs’ way Wednesday morning. They could acquire their first point of the season, but I’m taking the BRUINS (+115) in this one. Avs D Devon Toews is questionable with a lower body injury that made him a late scratch Monday. Boston is a physical team, and while playing in the altitude benefits Colorado, Boston has been good in this building in recent meetings. In the last 3 visits, the B’s lost 4-3 in a shootout (Jan. 8), won 4-0 (Dec. 7, 2022) and lost 4-3 in OT (Jan 26, 2022).
TAKE BRUINS (+115).
Puck line/Against the spread
I don’t like either side of the puck line here, but something that absolutely stands out is ALEXANDAR GEORGIEV OVER 2.5 GOALS ALLOWED (-130). We broke down how porous he has been in goal thus far, and this feels close to a lock.
Over/Under
Both games last season had 7 goals. I really look for the Avalanche to come out and play with desperation trying to avoid falling to 0-4-0. I think they will, but that’s because they’re going to be 0-3-1. The Over is 3-1-2 in the last 6 matchups.
BET OVER 6.5 (-115).
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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