- The Colorado Avalanche battle the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night
- The NHL odds are heavily in favor of the visiting Avs over Connor Bedard and the Hawks
- Read below for Avs vs Blackhawks prediction, odds & player props for Wednesday
Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche battle Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks on national television Thursday night. We’ve made our Avs vs Hawks prediction to help you place an educated wager on the game.
Oddsmakers are siding with the visiting team, pricing Nathan MacKinnon’s Avalanche as notable favorites over rookie Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks. The over/under is offered at 6.5 as oddsmakers forecast a high-scoring affair.
Here’s our Avalanche vs Blackhawks prediction, along with odds and player prop picks.
Avalanche vs Blackhawks Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL Avalanche | -1.5 (-115) | -305 | Over 6.0 (-115) |
| CHI Blackhawks | +1.5 (-105) | +245 | Under 6.0 (-105) |
In the Thursday NHL odds, Colorado is a massive -305 moneyline favorite, giving them 75% implied probability to win the game.
Odds as of February 29, 2024, at Bet365 Sportsbook. Claim the Bet365 promo code to bet on Avalanche vs Blackhawks.
Colorado Betting Analysis
Despite sitting near the top of the Stanley Cup odds, Colorado comes into this game with a lackluster 4-5-1 record in their past 10 contests. They snapped a two-game losing streak with a 5-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night.
Colorado can be the best team in the NHL on any given night, but they need to figure out their consistency issues. The Avs haven’t strung together two consecutive victories since winning three straight from Jan. 20-26.
We’re going on a trip in our favorite rocket ship, zooming through the sky 🚀
Chicago 🔜#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/donNPb8WKc
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 29, 2024
The Avalanche’s biggest strength is its offense, led by Hart Trophy odds contender Nathan MacKinnon. The 28-year-old center is enjoying his best season to date, recording 35 goals and 63 assists through 60 games. Colroado’s offense averages 3.65 goals per game, second-most in the NHL.
Defensively, the Avs have plenty of issues; Colorado is giving up 3.65 goals per game, which ranks 17th in the league. Alexander Georgiev hasn’t been overly impressive, posting a 31-14-3 record with a .900 save percentage and 2.88 GAA.
The good news for Colorado bettors is Valeri Nichushkin is out of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program and expected to return to the Avs lineup Thursday. Meanwhile, Captain Gabe Landeskog remains out with his knee injury.
Chicago Betting Analysis
The Blackhawks are once again sitting near the bottom of the NHL standings, making them the ultimate longshot in the NHL Playoff Bracket. Chicago, despite featuring Calder Trophy odds favorite Connor Bedard, has dropped their past four games.
The last time the Blackhawks took the ice was Monday against Detroit, when Patrick Kane scored the OT winner against his former team for a 3-2 victory. Chicago held a 2-1 lead after two periods and for much of the third before falling 3-2 in the extra session.
Connor Bedard has been one of the few bright spots for a Chicago team that now has just one victory in their past 13 outings. Bedard sells tickets with his dazzling play that has led to him recording 17 goals and 23 assists through 45 games.
Another positive for the Hawks is their penalty kill, which has killed off 16 of the past 18 opposition power plays over the past 18 games. The Blackhawks still rank just 22nd in PK percentage (78%), but they are playing disciplined hockey with only four penalties taken in their last three games.
The Blackhawks average 2.07 goals per game, which is dead-last in the NHL. They are a bit better defensively, allowing 3.51 goals per contest (27th). Goaltender Petr Mrazek boasts a .909 save percentage and is capable of stealing games despite an ugly 13-22-4 record.
COL vs CHI Team Stats
| 36-19-5 | NHL Regular Season Record | 15-39-5 |
| 2-0-0 | Head-To-Head | 0-2-0 |
| 23.7% (7th) | Power Play % | 13.3% (31st) |
| 81.0% (12th) | Penalty Kill % | 77.7% (22nd) |
| 3.65 (2nd) | GF/GP | 2.07 (32nd) |
| 3.13 (17th) | GA/GP | 3.51 (27th) |
| 47.9% (24th) | Faceoff % | 45.8% (31st) |
Avalanche vs Blackhawks Prediction
It’s no secret which team has been better this season, as the Thursday NHL odds paint a clear picture of a lopsided matchup on ESPN. However, when you break down the recent play of the two teams, this line is likely too inflated.
For starters, Colorado has a miserable 49 xGF% at even strength over the past month, while the Blackhawks are sporting a 42% xGF. Yes, Chicago has been the worse possession team, but Colorado isn’t exactly dominating the opposition.
Toronto goal.
COL: 3
TOR: 4— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 25, 2024
Nichuskin’s return is a nice boost for the Avs, but we actually see some value with the Chicago puck line Thursday. Bet365 is offering the Hawks at -105 to keep this game within two goals, which isn’t a price you can often get for the betting underdog.
A key reason for our prediction is goalie Petr Mrazek, who has been more reliable than Georgiev this season. In 10 career starts against the Avs, the Czech netminder has come to play, boasting a stellar .937 career save percentage vs Colorado.
COL-CHI Picks:
- Blackhawks PL +1.5 (-105)
- Petr Mrazek Over Saves (TBD)
The Colorado Avalanche will face off against the Chicago Blackhawks on February 29th in what is expected to be an exciting matchup between two talented teams. Both teams are currently in the playoff hunt and will be looking to secure a crucial win in this game.
The Avalanche are coming off a strong performance in their last game, where they defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 in overtime. They currently sit in second place in the Central Division with a record of 37-18-7. The Avalanche have been led by their dynamic duo of Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, who have combined for 157 points this season.
On the other hand, the Blackhawks have been struggling as of late, losing their last two games. They currently sit in sixth place in the Central Division with a record of 28-28-8. Despite their recent struggles, the Blackhawks still have a talented roster led by Patrick Kane, who has recorded 78 points this season.
In terms of predictions for this game, the Avalanche are favored to come out on top. They have been playing some of their best hockey as of late and have a more consistent lineup compared to the Blackhawks. The odds for this game currently favor the Avalanche at -150, while the Blackhawks are sitting at +130.
When it comes to player prop picks, look for Nathan MacKinnon to have a big game for the Avalanche. He has been on fire recently and is always a threat to score whenever he is on the ice. For the Blackhawks, keep an eye on Patrick Kane to make an impact. He is one of the top scorers in the league and has the ability to change the outcome of a game with his playmaking skills.
Overall, this game between the Avalanche and Blackhawks is shaping up to be a competitive matchup with playoff implications on the line. It will be interesting to see which team comes out on top and solidifies their spot in the standings. Be sure to tune in on February 29th to catch all the action!