The Colorado Avalanche (15-1-5) and Chicago Blackhawks (10-7-4) meet Sunday. Puck drop from United Center in Chicago, Illinois ,is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Avalanche vs. Blackhawks and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
2024-25 season series: Tied 2-2
The Avalanche posted a 3-0 win on the road Saturday as big favorites (-210) as the Under (6.5) cashed against the Nashville Predators, and now Colorado plays with no rest and a quick turnaround. G Mac Blackwood stopped all 35 shots he faced for the shutout, while D Brent Burns and F Nathan MacKinnon (empty net goal) and F Jack Drury (ENG) provided the offense.
In the second end of a back-to-back, Colorado lost 4-3 in OT on Oct. 26 as short dogs (+115) in New Jersey as the Over (6) hit, while winning 5-4 in OT on Nov. 9 in Vancouver.
The Blackhawks were hammered 9-3 by the Buffalo Sabres on Friday as moderate underdogs (+155) as the Over (6.5) cashed. F Todd Bertuzzi had 2 goals, including a power-play goal, in a losing effort. Despite getting wailed on by the Sabres, Chicago is still a solid 5-2-1 in the past 8 games, including 3-1-1 in the past 5 games at home.
Avalanche at Blackhawks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:17 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Avalanche -250 (bet $250 to win $100) | Blackhawks +200 (bet $100 to win $200)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche -1.5 (-102) | Blackhawks +1.5 (-118)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -125 | U: +105)Avalanche at Blackhawks projected goalies
Scott Wedgewood (12-1-2, 2.23 GAA, .913 SV%) vs. Spencer Knight (7-4-3, 2.47 GAA, .922 SV%, 1 SO)
After Blackwood started in the Music City, Wedgewood is expected to start in Chitown. Wedgewood did an amazing job filling in for Blackwood earlier in the season when the starter was injured, and now there is no way Wedgewood is moving to a backup role. He is 5-1-1 with a 1.87 GAA and .926 SV% in 7 road starts.
Knight has allowed 3 or fewer goals in 5 of the past 6 starts, going 3-1-2 with a 2.30 GAA and .932 SV% with a shutout in 6 starts in November. In 8 home starts, he is 3-2-2 with a 2.33 GAA and .921 SV%.
Avalanche at Blackhawks picks and predictionsPrediction
Avalanche 3, Blackhawks 2
The Avalanche (-250) will cost you 2 1/2 times your potential return, and that’s way too expensive any time. However, it’s especially risky when playing in a back-to-back situation.
Even as part of a multi-leg parlay, it doesn’t make a lot of sense including Colorado on your betslip.
PASS.
The BLACKHAWKS +1.5 (-118) are worth a play if you want a little bit of insurance. Again, the Avalanche have ended up going to overtime in each of their 2 games this season playing on no rest. Look for Chicago to keep it close, and perhaps for this game to be decided in overtime or a shootout.
UNDER 6 (+105) is the lean, but roll with a half-unit play at best.
The Under has a 5-4-1 edge in the past 10 games for the Blackhawks, and they’ve allowed 3 or fewer goals in 3 of the past 4 outings, and 8 of the past 10 contests.
The Under has cashed 2 of the past 3 games for the Avs. Be careful, though, as the Over has hit in both games for Colorado when playing on no rest.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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