A pair of teams that’ve positioned themselves firmly in the playoff picture, the Colorado Avalanche and the St. Louis Blues clash at the Scottrade Center in a divisional showdown. The action gets going at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 8, and you can view the game live on Altitude Sports & Entertainment.
Colorado Avalanche vs. St. Louis Blues Odds
St. Louis is 32-23 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 2.1 units this year. That winning percentage, ranked third in the Central Division so far in the early season, is right in line with what the team posted during last year’s regular season (46-36). 34 of its 55 matches have gone under the total, while 21 have gone over and none have pushed. This year, the team’s 18-11 SU at home.
The Blues have converted on just 16.0 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that places them in the bottom-5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 16th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.0 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Blues have been penalized just 3.5 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five games. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 8.1 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 25.8 saves per game with a .909 save percentage, Jake Allen (18-20-2) has been the best option in goal for the Blue Notes this year. If head coach Mike Yeo decides to give him the night off, however, the team may turn to Carter Hutton (15-9-9 record, .943 save percentage, 1.74 goals against average).
Brayden Schenn and Vladimir Tarasenko will each look to continue their strong seasons for the Blues. Schenn (51 points) has produced 21 goals and 30 assists and has recorded two or more points 12 times this year. Tarasenko has 21 goals and 26 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 31 contests.
Over on the other bench, Colorado is 29-23 straight up (SU) and has earned 10.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 52 regular season contests, 28 of its games have gone over the total, while 22 have gone under and just two have pushed. As the road team, the Avalanche are 10-15 SU so far.
The Avalanche have converted on 20.4 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked third overall and it’s successfully defended 83.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Colorado’s skaters have been penalized 4.1 times per game in total this season, and 3.0 per game over their past five outings. The team has had to kill penalties just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Semyon Varlamov (.912 save percentage and 2.84 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Colorado. Varlamov is averaging 28.6 saves per game and has 14 wins, 13 losses, and two overtime losses to his credit.
For the visiting Avalanche, the offense will run through Nathan MacKinnon, who’s got 37 assists and 24 goals on the year.
Colorado Avalanche vs. St. Louis Blues Betting Predictions
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Blues, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Eight of Colorado’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 5-3 in those games.
- Power-play chances may play a critical role in tonight’s matchup. The Avalanche are 13-6 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 18-15 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Blues are 16-7 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 23-15 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- St. Louis is 3-0 in games decided by a shootout this season while Colorado is 1-1 in shootouts.
- The total has gone under in four of St. Louis’ last five games.
- St. Louis skaters have averaged 4.2 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 5.9 giveaways per game (ranked 1st in the NHL).
- Colorado has averaged 8.2 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 6.3 giveaways per game (the fourth-fewest in the league).
- The Blues this season have handed the 11th-most hits in the league (22.5 per game).
