The Anaheim Ducks (14-29-5) travel to meet the Colorado Avalanche (26-17-3) Thursday at Ball Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 9 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Ducks vs. Avalanche odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Ducks picked up a 5-2 win as short ‘dogs on the road against the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday, and it cashed the Over for the 9th consecutive outing. Anaheim has won 2 of the last 3 games on the road, too.
The Avalanche have rattled off a season-high 6 consecutive victories, averaging 4.3 goals per game during the impressive span. Defensively, Colorado has allowed just 5 total goals in the last 4 outings, and the Under has cashed in each of those contests.
This is the 1st game of 3 meetings this season.
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Ducks 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 9:43 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Ducks +325 (bet $100 to win $325) | Avalanche -400 (bet $400 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Ducks +1.5 (+125) | Avalanche -1.5 (-145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Ducks at Avalanche projected goalies
John Gibson (8-20-4, 4.11 GAA, .895 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Alexandar Georgiev (19-11-3, 2.62 GAA, .919 SV%, 2 SO)
Gibson was tuned up for 6 goals on 39 shots in a 6-3 loss Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres on the road, and he has allowed 4 or more goals in each of his last 5 starts since a 2-0 shutout on Jan. 4 against the Dallas Stars.
Georgiev has won 3 straight starts, allowing just 4 goals during the span. Overall in January, he has posted a 4-3-0 record with a 2.45 GAA and .933 SV% in 7 starts.
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Ducks at Avalanche picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 5, Ducks 2
Moneyline
The Avalanche (-400) will cost you 4 times your potential return, and that’s quite expensive.
Even if it seems like a near certainty that Colorado will win, you need only to see the win by the Columbus Blue Jackets as a giant underdog against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday to serve as a cautionary tale.
Nothing is a certainty. It’s cliche’, but that’s why they play the games.
PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
The AVALANCHE -1.5 (-145) is a much better play on the money line, although it will still cost you almost 1 1/2 times your potential return.
It’s a good play, though, as the Ducks +1.5 (+125) have dropped 7 straight meetings against the Avs, while going 0-4 in the previous 4 trips to Denver.
In Colorado’s win streak, the last 2 wins have each been just by 2 goals, but 4 of the wins have been by 3 or more goals, too. Look for another here.
Over/Under
The OVER 6.5 (+100) is worth a roll of the dice, although it is expected the Avs must do most of the heavy lifting.
The Over has cashed in 9 in a row for the Ducks, while going 5-0 in the last 5 on the road, and 4-0 in the last 4 against winning teams.
The Over is 5-2 in the last 7 games at home for the Avs, and the Over is 4-0-1 in the last 5 meetings in Colorado.
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