Colorado Avalanche vs
Utah JazzPredictions & Preview

Colorado Avalanche Aim to Extend Winning Streak Against Struggling Utah Hockey Club

After the NHL's short Christmas break, the Colorado Avalanche (21-15-0, 42 points, 3rd Central) will face off against the Utah Hockey Club (16-12-6, 38 points, 5th Central) on Friday. The Avalanche come into the game on a three-game winning streak, with Joel Kiviranta leading the way with a hat trick in their last victory. Colorado trails the top of the Central division by nine points. Utah, on the other hand, has lost two straight games and sits 13 points behind first place in the division. Both teams will be missing key players for this matchup. Colorado is without Josh Manson, Gabriel Landeskog, Miles Wood, and Jonathan Drouin, while Utah will be missing Robert Bortuzzo, John Marino, Sean Durzi, Connor Ingram, and Maveric Lamoureux. The Avalanche are favored to win, opening at -142 and currently sitting at -140. It will be an exciting game to watch between these two competitive teams.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Avalanche -140 | Jazz +120
• Spread: Avalanche -1.5 (+178) | Jazz +1.5 (-212)
• Total: Over/Under 6 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Colorado will win straight-up is 58%.

Colorado vs Utah Stats

Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche currently have a goals-for average of 3.3 and a goals-against average of 3.4, ranking 8th and 27th respectively in the NHL. They are averaging 29.2 shots per game (12th) and allowing an average of 27.0 shots against (8th). Their power play ranks 8th, scoring 24.1% of the time, while their penalty kill is 22nd, holding opponents scoreless 77.7% of the time. Mikko Rantanen leads the team in goals with 19, Nathan MacKinnon leads in assists with 43 and points with 57. Cale Makar is second in assists with 34, while Rantanen is second in points with 57. Colorado has 10 players with double digits in points. Artturi Lehkonen leads in plus/minus with 8. Goalies Justus Annunen and Mackenzie Blackwood have respective records of 6-4-0 and 3-1-0. The team has a power ranking of 18, ranking 7th in offense, 26th in defense, and holds a season record of 21-15. Our NHL predictions are designed to provide a high payout for fans and bettors alike.

Utah Jazz Analysis

The Utah Hockey Club has a 3.0 goals-for average and a 2.8 goals-against average, ranking 18th and 13th respectively. Their power play is 14th, scoring 22.0% of the time, and their penalty kill is 19th at 79.1%. Dylan Guenther leads in goals with 16, Clayton Keller in assists with 23, and Logan Cooley in plus/minus with 13. Karel Vejmelka has an 8-8-2 record with a 2.33 goals-against average and .917 save percentage. As for the Utah Jazz, they have a power ranking of 7 and are 18th in offense and 13th in defense, with an overall record of 16-12-6. Utah recently went 1-2-0 in their last 3 matchups against Colorado.

Colorado Avalanche look to continue dominance against struggling Utah Grizzlies on the ice

Colorado's performance on the ice has been subpar, with a 3.4 goals against average. However, the team has maintained a 3.3 goals for average and possesses the 8th best power play in the league, which has helped counterbalance the struggles in defense. The recent acquisition of Mackenzie Blackwood has proven beneficial, as he has achieved a 3-1 record with an impressive 2.03 goals against average and .931 save percentage since joining the Avalanche. Comparatively, Utah's starting goaltender Karel Vejmelka holds an 8-8-2 record with a 2.33 goals against average and .917 save percentage. Although the statistics for the goalies are similar, Colorado's proficiency on the power play may be the deciding factor in the upcoming match. Colorado has secured victories in four of its last five games and has won six out of the last nine matchups against Utah. Conversely, Utah has struggled on home ice, losing seven of its last eight games. Colorado boasts a 12-7-0 record on the road, while Utah has only managed a 5-6-4 record at home.

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