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Penguins vs. Avalanche Prediction and Odds (Colorado is Near-Unbeatable at Home)

By Matt De Saro

Vancouver Canucks v Colorado Avalanche
Vancouver Canucks v Colorado Avalanche / Dustin Bradford/GettyImages
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Interconference action on the ice tonight features a showdown between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche. Both have high hopes for the playoffs and will be gunning hard for a win today. 

The Avs have a huge advantage on Saturday with this being a home game for them. Colorado is one of the best home teams in the NHL with a 27-4-3 record this season at Ball Arena. The Avalanche has just two losses this month at home to the Wild and Flames. 

This is the first time the two will play since the 2019-20 season when the Penguins swept the regular-season series. This is the first game the two will play back to back and they meet again Tuesday in Pittsburgh. 

Here are the odds for today’s matchup, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Penguins vs. Avalanche Odds and Total

Moneyline:

  • Penguins +135
  • Avalanche -155

Puck line:

  • Penguins +1.5 (-200)
  • Avalanche -1.5 (+165)

Total:

  • 6 (Over -125/Under +105)

Penguins vs. Avalanche Prediction and Pick

While these two teams match up well on paper, the fact is that the Avs have been playing much better hockey lately. Pitt has been wildly inconsistent over the last few weeks and it's hard to trust them going up against such stiff competition. The Penguins are 2-3 in their last five games and 7-6 in their last 13 games. They have put together some impressive wins during that span, but also some disappointing losses. 

The Avalanche, meanwhile, are 7-3 straight up in their last 10 games and 3-1 in their last four. They have also beat some of the best teams in the NHL during that time. Colorado beat the Calgary Flames twice in the last couple of weeks, even shutting them out once. They also shut out the Kings recently. 

The Penguins' defense takes a lot of the blame for their slump after surrendering 17 goals in their last 5 games alone. Colorado has a stellar offense and the Penguins can’t mess around today if they hope to hang on for a win. This game taking place in Colorado is a huge deal. The Avalanche were already an attractive pick, but their home-ice advantage has me convinced. 

Pick: Avalanche -155 to win

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE

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