Colorado Avalanche vs Utah Jazz Betting Picks & Predictions
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)
Game outlook
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 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.