Colorado Avalanche at Pittsburgh Penguins odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s Colorado Avalanche at Pittsburgh Penguins odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Colorado Avalanche (6-0-0) take on the Pittsburgh Penguins (2-4-0) Thursday at PPG Paints Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+/Hulu). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Avalanche vs. Penguins odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

The Avs have stormed out of the gates, rolling over every opponent in their path. They took down the New York Islanders, 7-4 Tuesday, and froze over the Carolina Hurricanes 6-4 Saturday. RW Mikko Rantanen leads the team with 5 goals, 7 assists and 12 points.

The Pens have dropped 3 in a row after a 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars Tuesday. They are 2-1 when they score 3 goals but have lost all 3 when they do not. D Erik Karlsson was a big-time offseason acquisition, and he has 1 goal and 3 assists in 6 games. He should eventually turn it on, but there appears to be some growing pains as he adapts to his new team.

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Avalanche at Penguins odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:34 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Avalanche -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Penguins +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
  • Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche -1.5 (+180) | Penguins +1.5 (-225)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)

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Avalanche at Penguins projected goalies

Alexandar Georgiev (6-0-0, 1.98 GAA, .930 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Tristan Jarry (1-3-0, 2.81 GAA, .892 SV%, 1 SO)

Georgiev has started and won every game thus far with Pavel Francouz out with a groin injury. There’s obviously a chance that Ivan Prosvetov makes his 1st start, and that would change some things, but Georgiev is expected to go. After allowing 4 goals in his first 4 games combined, Georgiev has allowed 4 in each of the last 2 games. The Pens beat him in his only meeting against them last year. He stopped 40 of 44 shots.

Jarry has allowed 4 goals in each of his last 2 starts as well. He shut out the Washington Capitals in the game before that. So he’s seeking some kind of rhythm. Jarry was great in his lone start against Colorado last season, beating them 5-2 with 28 saves on 30 shots.

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Avalanche at Penguins picks and predictions

Prediction

Avalanche 4, Penguins 2

Moneyline

The Pens have won 5 of the last 7 meetings against the Avs, but I just can’t bring myself to side with them with the way each team is playing. If Colorado brings in the backup tendy, all bets are off. However, if Georgiev goes, I’m taking the AVALANCHE -135 or puck line.

Puck line/Against the spread

The Avs are 5-1 on the puck line thus far and 2-1 on the road. Two of the last 3 meetings have been decided by more than a goal. The Pens don’t have a lot of speed, and Colorado has a ton of it. Personally, I would skip the ML and take the AVALANCHE -1.5 (+180) for the value.

Over/Under

I’m not a fan of this total unless Colorado puts Prosvetov between the pipes. I would go Over there. I do like the Over, but just not enough to spend -120 for 7 goals, which I don’t like doing in the 1st place. Two of the last 3 meetings have hit this number, but I’m going to PASS. If you want to place a live bet if the number comes down to 5.5, that’s the route I’d take.

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Colorado Avalanche at Pittsburgh Penguins odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Colorado Avalanche at Pittsburgh Penguins odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Colorado Avalanche (27-18-3) begin a 3-game road trip Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins (24-16-9) at PPG Paints Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Avalanche vs. Penguins odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

The Avalanche have won 7 of its last 8 games, including a 4-2 win in the Mile High City against the St. Louis Blues in the last outing prior to the All-Star break. The Under is 4-1-1 in the last 6 games overall for the Avs.

The Penguins suffered a 6-4 loss at home to the San Jose Sharks prior to the break, and Pittsburgh has won just once in regulation in the last 6 games, going 2-1-3 during the span. In 5 of the last 7 games for the Pens, regulation has not determined a winner, with a pair of OT wins, 2 OTL and 1 SOL.

This is the 1st of 2 regular-season meetings, as the teams will also square off in Denver on March 22.

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Avalanche at Penguins odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:01 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Avalanche -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Penguins -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
  • Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche +1.5 (-270) | Penguins -1.5 (+190)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)

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Avalanche at Penguins projected goalies

Alexandar Georgiev (20-11-3, 2.60 GAA, .920 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Casey DeSmith (7-10-4, 3.35 GAA, .901 SV%)

Georgiev has picked up victories in 4 consecutive starts, allowing a total of just 6 goals. That’s good for a 1.50 GAA and .954 SV%. He has lost 2 of his last 3 outings against Eastern Conference teams, however.

DeSmith was on the short end of the 6-4 loss to the Sharks on Saturday, allowing 5 goals on 31 shots. He has won just twice in the last 6 outings, allowing 5 or more goals in 3 of his previous 4 assignments.

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Avalanche at Penguins picks and predictions

Prediction

Avalanche 4, Penguins 3

Moneyline

The AVALANCHE (-110) were playing very consistent hockey prior to the break, and Colorado finally has been looking like a dominant force capable of making another deep run into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Penguins (-110) have been dealing with injuries, particularly in the crease, and Pittsburgh is just 5-12 in the last 17 games overall, and 7-21 in the last 28 games against winning teams.

Puck line/Against the spread

The Avalanche +1.5 (-270) will cost you over 2 1/2 times your potential return, and that’s just too expensive if you want some insurance and can’t play Colorado straight up.

AVOID.

Over/Under

The OVER 6.5 (+100) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at best.

The Under is 4-1-1 in the last 6 games overall for the Avs, but the Over has hit in 4 of their past 5 against Eastern Conference foes. When rested, Colorado has been potent, too, cashing the over at a 13-4-4 clip in the last 21 when playing on 3 or more days of rest.

The Over has connected at a 6-2-1 clip in the last 9 games at home for the Penguins, too.

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Colorado Avalanche at Pittsburgh Penguins odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Tuesday’s Colorado Avalanche at Pittsburgh Penguins odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Colorado Avalanche (49-14-6) square off against the Pittsburgh Penguins (41-19-10) Tuesday in the second half of home-and-home at PPG Paints Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we look at the Avalanche vs. Penguins odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

Colorado defended home ice in a 3-2 thriller over these Pens at Ball Arena Saturday. Avs D Devon Toews scored the winning goal with under five minutes remaining. The Avalanche have won four of five and eight of 10.

The Penguins need this game as they’re jockeying for playoff positioning. Pittsburgh has lost four of their last six games in what is the toughest part of their schedule of the season. Six of their last 10 outings have been against playoff teams, and a seventh was against the surging Buffalo Sabres.

Avalanche at Penguins 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 9:30 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Avalanche -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Penguins -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche +1.5 (-290) | Penguins -1.5 (+200)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -125)

Avalanche at Penguins projected goalies

Darcy Kuemper (32-9-3, 2.37 GAA, .925 SV%, 5 SO) vs. Tristan Jarry (33-15-6, 2.34 GAA, .921 SV%, 4 SO)

Kuemper has been great and has allowed 3 goals or fewer in eight straight games. He stopped 38 of 40 shots he saw against the Pens Saturday, and he should keep the Avs in this game.

Jarry has to be better than he was down the stretch last year for the Pens to do anything in the postseason. He has allowed 13 goals in the last four games, including three on 38 shots to these Avs Saturday. He needs to make a statement here.

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Avalanche at Penguins odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Penguins 3, Avalanche 2

Money line

Money is flying in on Colorado as they were at plus money earlier Tuesday, and it makes sense if you go strictly by the numbers. However, this is a game Pittsburgh needs more.

Colorado is also still without C Gabriel Landeskog and will potentially be without C Nazem Kadri again. The Penguins have won three of four in this series, and they should defend home ice. PENGUINS (-115) is the way to go.

Against the spread

Colorado and the insurance will cost you nearly three times your return, and Pittsburgh hasn’t played well enough to consider the puck line outside of the 11-2 victory they whipped out against Detroit. PASS.

Over/Under

Two of the last three games between these teams ended 3-2. The Avs have hit the Under in four in a row, and it’s 12-2-2 in the Avs’ last 16 against games teams over .500. The UNDER 6.5 (-125) is the way to go here.

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