Avalanche vs Blackhawks NHL Line & Handicapping
Central Division Clash – Avs Look to Make Up Some Ground on Blackhawks
Two of the better teams in the NHL take to the ice on Tuesday night when the Colorado Avalanche, 5-2-3 in their last 10 games take on the Chicago Blackhawks who have been gaining points lately but not winning on the heels of a 5-1-4 streak. The teams have split their two games this season but it was Chicago that posted the easy victory last time these teams faced each other – 7-2 back on December 27.
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Colorado (28-12-2-3) at Chicago (30-8-4-6)
When: 8:00 PM ET, Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Broadcast: ALT, CSN-CH
Avs. vs. Blackhawks Betting Lines
Colorado Avalanche +1½ -180 +172 Ov 5½ -124
Chicago Blackhawks -1½ +160 -190 Un 5½ +113
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The Colorado Avalanche currently sit third in the competitive Central Division but they haven’t been playing all that well – particularly on the road. They snapped an 0-2-2 skid with a 4-2 win in Minnesota on Saturday and are 5-2-3 in their last 10 games. They Avs have to start winning games against teams ahead of them or consider themselves a lower seed when the playoffs come around.
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Colorado is a good offensive club – talent up and down the lineup. Gabriel Landeskog scored a goal against the Wild, giving him at least a point in nine of his past 10 games. Ryan O’Reilly scored twice Saturday and has 10 points in his last 10 games and Andre Benoit has three points in two games. Matt Duchene, Nathan McKinnon and Jamie McGinn have all been playing well for the Avs.
Semyon Varlamov has gone 8-0-5 with a 2.23 goals-against average in his last 13 games and has a decent history against Chicago – 36 saves in the November win over Chicago and stopped all 13 shots he faced in relief against the Blackhawks last month.
Even though the Blackhawks have been perceived as struggling they have still earned points in 12 of their last 13 games – only three wins in their last eight games. But as all good teams do – they find a way to get something even though they are not at their best.
The Oilers were the Blackhawks last opponent – a Grade A cure for what ails any team. Chicago scored five goals in that game and broke some slumps along the way.
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The Hawks average 3.56 goals per game this year – top of the league. Jonathan Toews extended his point streak to six straight games with a goal against the Oilers, while Marian Hossa scored a goal in his second straight game. Patrick Sharp has 15 points in 10 games, Duncan Keith has 11 points in nine games and Patrick Kane looks as though he has snapped his slump with two assists against Edmonton.
Chicago is as dangerous as ever offensively – they will do their part.
Goaltending could be an issue – Corey Crawford is 0-3-3 in his last seven starts, but has allowed three goals or less in his four games since returning from injury. Not bad but not that great. Crawford has been awful against the Avalanche – four losses with a 5.39 GAA in his last four starts.
Dave’s FREE NHL Betting Prediction
A few trends to consider:
• Under is 12-2 in COL last 14 Tue. games.
• Over is 6-1-1 in COL last 8 vs. Western Conference.
• COL are 2-7 in their last 9 games following a win.
• CHI are 12-3 in their last 15 Tue. games.
• CHI are 43-16 in their last 59 home games.
• CHI are 38-15 in their last 53 vs. Central.
This game will likely come down to Corey Crawford (his backup Antti Raanta is 3-0-0 with a 1.67 GAA and .932 save percentage in his last three starts). While I trust the Chicago offense, I have little faith in the goaltending. I like the underdog to rise to the occasion Tuesday in a high scoring affair.
Pick: Colorado Avalanche +172
