Pittsburgh Penguins at Colorado Avalanche

By Sam Batz

The Colorado Avalanche host the Pittsburgh Penguins in Denver’s Ball Arena on Wednesday, March 22nd (8:00 PM EST, TNT). Colorado is favored to win, with the moneyline currently priced at -176, but in their first meeting with the Penguins, the Avalanche lost 2-1 on the road in overtime. Colorado was favored in that game as well, and while they collected the point for sending the game into overtime, the Avalanche will have a chip on their shoulder after the upset. Pittsburgh seeks to replicate the success they had back in February against a superior Colorado team, but have struggled in away games, winning just 42.9% of their games on the road. The Penguins moneyline is currently priced at +145, but will be looking to upset the Western Conference favorites once again. 

Pittsburgh Penguins Odds (+145)

The Penguins are 5th in the Metropolitan Division with a 34-26-10 record and 78 points. Pittsburgh is 9th in the Eastern Conference, and with 12 games remaining on their regular season schedule, have a 44% chance to make the playoffs. The last time the Penguins missed the postseason was in 2006; they have competed for the Stanley Cup in 16 consecutive seasons, and will be fighting for their lives to keep that incredible streak going. However the pressure may be too much for the Penguins, who are 4-5-1 in the last 10 games, and are floundering after losing 4 straight without garnering a single point. Pittsburgh needs to turn it around quickly, but may find themselves buried in an Avalanche after Wednesday’s contest. 

Colorado Avalanche Odds (-176)

The reigning Stanley Cup champions are 41-22-6 with 88 points through 69 games. They are 2nd in the Central Division, trailing the Dallas Stars by just 1 point. The Avalanche are currently in a three-way tie for 4th in the Western Conference, but remain a favorite to not only make the playoffs, but to represent the West in the Stanley Cup Finals for a second straight season. Colorado is on a roll, posting a 7-2-1 record in their last 10 games, and winning 6 consecutive matchups, which is currently the longest streak in the NHL. The Avalanche have caught fire at the perfect time, scoring 5 goals in each of their last 3 games, and enter Wednesday’s matchup with the Penguins on the back of a 5-0 shutout against the Blackhawks. 

Penguins vs. Avalanche Odds

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Penguins vs. Avalanche: Season Stats

Penguins vs. Avalanche: Betting Trends

Penguins vs. Avalanche: Key Players

Pittsburgh Penguins – Sidney Crosby (Center): Arguably the greatest Penguin of all-time, the 35-year old Crosby once again leads his team. With 83 points (29 goals, 54 assists), Crosby has the 14th highest total across the league, and in his 18th season, has played every single game for the Penguins this year. Crosby averaged 1.10 points per game (2 goals, 11 assists) in his last 10, continuing to prove he is one of the best to ever hit the ice. He has 11 goals, 6 assists, and +/- rating of +2 in 18 games against the Avalanche over his long career, and I predict Sidney Crosby will add to that total on Wednesday by recording at least 1 point (goal or assist). 

Colorado Avalanche – Mikko Rantanen (Right Wing): The big 6’ 4”, 215 lbs man out of Finland is having a great season. Rantanen has recorded 85 points (47 goals, 38 assists) for the Avalanche, the second-most on the team. He leads in goals scored however, lighting the lamp 17 more times than the next highest total on the team, and recording the 3rd-most goals in the league. In his last 10 games, Mikko averaged 1.30 points per game (6 goals, 7 assists) with a +/- rating of +2. Rantanen is a talented player and I predict he will record at least 1 goal against the Penguins on Wednesday. 

Penguins vs. Avalanche Prediction

Take the Colorado Avalanche (-176) to win. The Avalanche are nearly a guarantee to make the playoffs, but continue their battle for the top-spot in the Central Division, meaning they aren’t ready to sit back and coast to the postseason just yet. They are playing extremely well at the moment, winning 6 straight and scoring 4.0 goals per game in their last 10 matchups. The Penguins may have defeated Colorado earlier this season, but it was a close game, and the Avalanche recorded an astounding 42 shots on goal but were unlucky to only have 1 hit the back of the net. Penguins love snow, but I expect the Avalanche to bury Pittsburgh on Wednesday. 

Prediction: Colorado Avalanche Moneyline (-176) and the Under (6.5); Final Score: 6-3

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