Colorado Avalanche vs Chicago Blackhawks Betting Pick & Prediction 2/29/24

Don't miss out on the NHL showdown between the Avalanche and Blackhawks. The game is starting at 9:00 ET on ESPN, and it's hosted by the Blackhawks at United Center in Chicago, IL. Get ready to place your bets! The Avalanche are the -1.5 goal favorites in this Central division matchup against the Blackhawks. The over/under for the game is set at 6 goals.

COLORADO AVALANCHE VS CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Chicago Blackhawks +1.5

This game will be played at United Center at 9:00 ET on Thursday, February 29th.

WHY BET THE CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS:

• With a 1.5 goal advantage on the spread, our projections favor the Avalanche to secure a 4-3 victory.
• Take the Avalanche on the moneyline
• On the puck line, we like Blackhawks (+1.5)

Will the Colorado Defense Show Up on the Road?

On the season, the Avalanche have a record of 36-19-5, which has them in 4th place in the Western Conference and 3rd place in the Central Division. When playing on the road, Colorado is 13-13-5, and they have gone 23-11 against other Western Conference opponents.

Over their last ten games, the Avalanche have gone just 4-6, and they have lost each of their last four games when coming into the game as the underdog. In their last five games, Colorado has gone 3-2, and they are 1-2 in their last three games.

On the road, the Avalanche have gone just 10-21 against the puck line this season. So far, their average scoring margin on the road is -.5 goals per game. In their last ten road games, the team's puck line record is 3-7.

Overall, Colorado has gone 28-32 vs. the puck line this season, including going 25-26 when favored. In their last three games, the team's puck line record is 1-2.

Games involving Colorado have an average of 6.8 goals per game this season. Their average over/under line is 6.4. In terms of their over/under performance, the Avalanche come in with a record of 35-23-2.

Through their last three road games, Colorado has an puck line record of just 1-2. However, their overall record was 1-2 while averaging 3 goals per game.

When looking at their offense, the Avalanche have an average of 3.6 goals per game this season, positioning themselves 2nd in the NHL. In terms of shots on goal per game, they are ranked 7th in the league. Colorado's offense is currently ranked 2nd in power play goals. When it comes to shorthanded goals, they are 8th in the league.

The leading scorer for Colorado's offense is Nathan MacKinnon. Coming into the game he has 35 goals, ranking 7th in the NHL. In addition to his goal scoring, MacKinnon has 63 assists this season.

Defensively, the Blackhawks come into the season ranked 6th in goals allowed. Opponents are averaging 32.4 shots per game against Chicago. For the season, they are ranked 26th in shutouts, coming in with 1 shutouts.

Heading into this matchup vs. Chicago, goalie Alexandar Georgiev has started 48 games in this season. His current record is 31-14, and his save percentage stands at 0.991%.

Will the Blackhawks Find a Way to Win at Home?

Chicago enters the game as the 16th seed in the Western Conference with a 15-39-5 record. In their last ten games, the Blackhawks have gone just 1-9, and they have dropped their last three games. When playing at home this season, Chicago has gone 11-15-4.

Against other teams in the Western Conference, the Blackhawks have gone 8-25 this season. When playing as the underdog, Chicago has gone 14-38-5, and they have been the underdog in 57 of their 59 games this year.

Chicago comes into the game with a puck line record of 27-32, including an 18-12 mark at home. Their average scoring margin for the season sits at -1.4 goals per game, and they have had 10 of their 13 losses come by multiple goals.

The Blackhawks' puck line record as the underdog is at 27-30, and they have gone 2-1 against the puck line in their last three games. So far this season, Chicago has been the underdog in all but two games, and their average scoring margin in those games is -1.5 goals per contest.

This season, Chicago's games are averaging 5.6 goals per game. Their average over/under line is 6.1. The Blackhawks currently have an over/under record of 22-35-2.

Through their last three road contests, the Avalanche offense has averaged 3 goals per game while allowing an average of 3. Colorado posted an overall record of 1-2 while going 1-2 ATS.

When looking at their offense, the Blackhawks have an average of 2.1 goals per game this season, positioning themselves 31st in the NHL. In terms of shots on goal per game, they are ranked 31st in the league. Looking at how the Blackhawks' offense is performing during power plays, they are 31st in power play goals and 23rd in shorthanded goals.

Chicago's current leading scorer is Connor Bedard. This season, he has 17 goals, which puts him 97th in the NHL. Along with his scoring, he has come up with 23 assists so far.

The Blackhawks defense is currently 6th in goals allowed. Opponents are averaging 32.4 shots per game against Chicago. In terms of shutouts, they come into the game ranked 26th with 1 shutouts.

Goalie Petr Mrazek gets the start and has made 39 starts this season. His record at this point is 13-22, and his save percentage is 0.963%.