Avalanche vs. Blackhawks Prediction
The Colorado Avalanche are enjoying a fantastic season, but are coming off a road loss heading into tonight’s nationally televised game at the Chicago Blackhawks. Can Colorado bounce back with a win in this setting?
Game Snapshot
25 Colorado Avalanche at 26 Chicago Blackhawks
Wednesday, December 17, 2019
United Center at 8:05PM ET
TV: NBCSN
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Avalanche are a -145 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Blackhawks are a +125 underdog, while the total is set at 6.5 goals. As of Wednesday morning, 71 percent of public bets are siding with visiting Colorado. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Avs fall at Blues
Colorado suffered a 5-2 defeat at St. Louis Monday night to drop to 21-9-3 on the season. Nazem Kadri evened it up at 1-1 for the Avs 55 seconds into the second period on a goal assisted by Ryan Graves. Mikko Rantanen put Colorado ahead 2-1 with 10:25 to go in the second on a power play goal with assists going to Samuel Girard and Nathan MacKinnon. The Blues scored two goals late in the second period and another two goals in the third period to take control. Philipp Grubauer surrendered four goals on 34 shots in the losing effort.
Blackhawks snap four-game skid
Chicago posted a 5-3 home win Sunday night over Minnesota to improve to 13-15-6 on the season. Patrick Kane opened the scoring at the 12:18 mark of the first period to give the Blackhawks the lead with an assist going to Alex Nylander. Kane made it 2-0 on the power play less than four minutes later with assists from Jonathan Toews and Dylan Strome. The Wild scored later in the first and then tied it up two minutes into the second period. David Kampf gave the hosts the lead again at 3-2 with 11:47 to go in the second on assists courtesy of Connor Murphy and Erik Gustafsson. Minnesota evened it up again later in the second. Brandon Saad broke the deadlock for good with 6:17 to play in the third period with assists going to Murphy and Toews. Kane registered his hat trick on an empty net goal with 1:03 left on a Toews assist. Robin Lehner picked up the win as he stopped 23 shots on 26 attempts.
NHL Betting Trends
Colorado
The Avalanche are 8-2 in their last 10 games overall. Colorado is 4-1 in its last five road games.
Chicago
The Blackhawks are 5-0 in their last five Wednesday games. Chicago is 1-4 in the last five meetings.
Prediction:
As long as Colorado bottles up Kane, it should be in good shape here. The Avs have been playing very good hockey home and away, with a loss at the reigning Stanley Cup champion Blues merely a small setback. Look for Grubauer to be better tonight, while MacKinnon and company should be able to solve projected Blackhawks netminder Corey Crawford early and often. Go with the favorites here.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: COLORADO AVALANCHE -145