Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Avalanche vs Blackhawks NHL Odds
Looking for Colorado Avalanche vs. Chicago Blackhawks free hockey plays & NHL Odds? NHL betting sees the Avalanche taking on the Blackhawks on Thursday December 23rd at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions.
(11-19-1) Colorado Avalanche vs. Chicago Blackhawks (22-9-4)
Date: Thursday, December 23rd
Time: 8:30PM EST
Venue: Thursday December 23rd
NHL Hockey Moneyline Odds: Chicago -260
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds: Chicago -1.5
NHL Betting Total: 5.5
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The struggling Avalanche head to Chicago on the second night of a back-to-back to take on the Central Division Blackhawks in what will be both teams’ final game before the Christmas break.
Colorado Avalanche
With losses in four of the last five games, the Avalanche are trying to find some semblance of quality hockey before the four-day rest period. Colorado’s last win came in a 3-1 game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Almost nothing has gone right all year for this Avalanche team that continues to see poor play on both offense and defense.
The Avalanche are dead last in goals this season with 65. That says a lot about how the team’s season is going right there.
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Giving up 99 goals this year hasn’t helped the team’s cause either. The Avalanche have a minus-34 goal differential on the season and that differential probably won’t be looking any more positive after facing the extremely tough Blackhawks.
The Avalanche really don’t have any weapons or star power and rumors are swirling that the nucleus of the team might be splitting up in the not too distant future.
The top scorer on the team, center Matt Duchene, is one of the lone bright spots for Colorado. He has 12 goals and 10 assists on the year. He has two goals and three assists in his last five games.
Chicago Blackhawks
Starting goaltender Corey Crawford was just activated from the injured reserve and should start in goal against the Avalanche. He’ll look to shake off some rust after a three-week stint on the IR.
Chicago was looking forward to being at full strength with the return of Crawford but, alas, the hockey gods had other things in mind. Two of the Hawks’ best-form players, Marian Hossa and Artem Anisimov, will both sit out Friday’s game with upper body injuries. Anisimov has been placed on the IR, while Hossa is day-to-day.
Chicago will look to limp through this game, keep other key players out of harm’s way, and get to that much needed Christmas break. The way this team is playing, Anisimov and Hossa sitting out shouldn’t affect the ability to beat a poor Colorado team.
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Chicago has so many offensive weapons that the team can easily overwhelm a bad Avalanche defense. With Toews and Kane on the ice, along with Artemi Panarin and a much-improved Vinnie Hinostrosa (2G, 2A in his last two games), it should be a good night in the United Center.
NHL Betting Trends:
- Colorado is 2-4 ATS in last six games
- The Total has gone UNDER in four of Colorado’s last five games
Free Colorado Avalanche vs. Chicago Blackhawks NHL Hockey Prediction:
Despite a couple key injuries for Chicago, this team should have no trouble picking apart the bad Colorado defense. Chicago gets the W.
4* Free NHL Betting Pick: Chicago -1.5
This should be an easy W for the Blackhawks against one of the worst teams in the league.
NHL Free Score Prediction: Colorado 1 – Chicago 4
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