Colorado Avalanche vs Chicago Blackhawks Betting Pick & Prediction 12/19/23

Planning on watching today’s Avalanche and Blackhawks game? Catch the action at United Center in Chicago, IL, as the Blackhawks hosts this showdown at 8:30 ET on NBCS. The Avalanche are the favorites in this Central division matchup against Blackhawks. The over/under for the game is set at 6.5 goals.

COLORADO AVALANCHE VS CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Chicago Blackhawks +1.5

This game will be played at United Center at 8:30 ET on Tuesday, December 19th.

WHY BET THE CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS:

• With the Avalanche being favored by 1.5, our NHL analytics models has this one playing out 4-3 in favor of the Avalanche.
• Take the Avalanche on the moneyline
• On the puck line, we like Blackhawks (+1.5)

Will the Avalanche Defense Show Up on the Road?

Coming into their game vs. Blackhawks, the Avalanche have a 19-10-2 record. They hold a 12-4-0 record when playing at home, and they have gone 7-6-2 on the road. Their current record places them 2nd in the Western Central division and 4th in the Western conference.

Colorado is 15-16 against the puck line this season. On the road, their puck line record sits at 5-10 compared to 10-6 at home. On average, Colorado’s games have finished with 6.7 goals per game. The season’s average over/under line stands at 6.3. In total, the Avalanche come in with an over/under record of 17-12-2.

Across the Avalanche last three road games, the team averaged 2 goals per game while allowing 4. Their record vs the puck line in these contests was 0-3, while going 0-3 straight-up.

In terms of their offensive performance, the Avalanche are averaging 3.6 goals per game this season, putting them in the 2nd spot in the NHL. When it comes to shots on goal per game, they are ranked 7th in the league. So far this year, the Avalanche are 11-6 in games they have had more shots on goal than their opponent. They are 6-4 in games with fewer shots on goal.

Colorado’s leading goal scorer is Mikko Rantanen. So far this season, he has 15 goals, placing him 18th in the NHL. In addition to his goal scoring, Rantanen has 24 assists this season.

Defensively, the Blackhawks are currently 11th in goals allowed. On average, opponents are taking 32.3 shots per game against Chicago. They also are 19th in shutouts, coming in with 1 shutouts.

Heading into this matchup vs. Chicago, goalie Alexandar Georgiev has started 24 games in this season. His current record is 15-7, and his save percentage stands at 0.9375%.

Is a Home Win Possible for the Blackhawks?

Chicago will be looking to snap their current two game home losing streak in today’s game vs. the Avalanche. Overall, they are sitting at 9-20-1 this season. In the Western Central division, they are currently 8th, and in the Western conference, they come into the game sitting 16th.

Analyzing their performance against the puck line, Chicago has a 14-16 record. On the road they are 6-10 against the puck line, while their overall home performance is8-6. On average, Chicago’s games have finished with 6 goals per game. The season’s average over/under line stands at 6.3. In total, the Blackhawks come in with an over/under record of 12-16-2.

In their last three games at home, the Blackhawks have a straight up record of 0-3 while going 0-3 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 1 goals per game in these contests.

When looking at their offense, the Blackhawks have an average of 2.3 goals per game this season, positioning themselves 30th in the NHL. In terms of shots on goal per game, they are ranked 29th in the league. Looking at how the Blackhawks’ offense is performing during power plays, they are 28th in power play goals and 27th in shorthanded goals.

Chicago will be looking for a good game from Connor Bedard who leads the team in scoring with 12 goals, ranking 47th in the NHL. In addition to his goal scoring, Bedard has 14 assists this season.

In terms of defense, the Blackhawks head into the game ranked 11th in goals allowed. On average, opponents are taking 32.3 shots per game against Chicago. So far, they are 19th in shutouts, achieving 1 shutouts.

Goalie Arvid Söderblom comes into the game having made 13 starts this season. So far, his record is 2-10 and he has a save percentage of 0.59375%.