Since we have just crossed the midway point of the season in the NHL, it is still far too early to make confident picks in terms of the division winners and playoff teams, but we are beginning to see some separation. There are a few teams who already look like a lock to be in the postseason, as well as a couple who have opened up leads in their divisions that are going to be tough to catch. In those divisions, the battle for seeding and playoff spots is going to become fun to watch in the second half of the season and may even have an impact on what sort of moves teams make at the trade deadline.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have had some injury issues to deal with this season, but they are getting healthy and may be ready to take a run at the Metropolitan Division. The Colorado Avalanche are well off the pace in the Central, but they are still in good playoff shape right now. The Penguins and Avalanche will meet on Friday night in Denver. The Avalanche are favored by 1 ½ at home, with the goal total for this one set at 6 ½.
Penguins vs Avalanche 2020 NHL Week 14 Betting Lines & Analysis
- When: Friday, January 10 at 9 PM EST
- Where: Pepsi Center, Denver
- TV: ESPN
- NHL Odds: Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (Total 6.5)
Why bet on the Pittsburgh Penguins?
The Penguins record this season is all the more impressive when you consider the number of games they have had to play without some of the best players in their lineup. They might get a boost on Friday night, though, as there is a chance that Sidney Crosby will return from the injury that has kept him sidelined for a couple of months.The Penguins are 26-12-5 this season and are on a very nice run of form at the moment, going 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. They have some work to do to make up the 8-point lead that the Capitals have at the top of the Metropolitan Division, but as they get healthy in the second half, they might just be up for it. The Penguins are 10-7-2 on the road and have gone 17-4-2 versus teams from the Western Conference.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.40
- Shots: 33.00
- PP/PK Percentage: 18.18
Defense
- Goals: 2.70
- Shots: 29.72
- PP/PK Percentage: 18.75
Why bet on the Colorado Avalanche?
The Colorado Avalanche are coming into this game on a streak that has seen them lose pace with the leaders at the top of the Central Division, while also seeing them drop back towards the Wild Card spots. They come into this one on the heels of back to back losses that has dropped them to a rather worrying 3-6-1 in their last 10 games.
That run has taken the Avalanche to 25-15-4 on the season, good for 54 points and third in the Central Division, although the Winnipeg Jets are now breathing down their neck. The Avalanche have gone 11-7-2 at home and have been a very good bet versus teams from the Eastern Conference, going 11-4-2 in those games.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.61
- Shots: 32.95
- PP/PK Percentage: 19.38
Defense
- Goals: 2.95
- Shots: 32.70
- PP/PK Percentage: 22.39
Penguins vs Avalanche 2020 NHL Week 14 Betting Trends
- Penguins are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games this season
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 6 games against an opponent in the West conference
- Avalanche are 5-12 SU in their last 17 games played in January
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado’s last 5 games at home
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Penguins vs Avalanche
The Penguins started their 3-game west coast swing with a 4-3 win over Vegas and you need to like their chances of continuing a positive road trip against an Avalanche team that is struggling at the moment. The Penguins won 3-2 in their earlier meeting and I think they win again here.Score: Pittsburgh Penguins 4 – Colorado Avalanche 2
