Avalanche vs Blackhawks Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Pass-First Kurashev Provides Value on Tuesday

A Central Division clash gets underway Tuesday evening as the last-place Chicago Blackhawks host the second-place Colorado Avalanche.

These two teams are on total opposite ends of the NHL odds landscape, with Chicago already eyeing another first-overall draft pick while Colorado continues its push for another Stanley Cup.

Will the Avs take care of business, or can the Hawks keep things close? Find out in our free NHL picks for Avalanche vs. Blackhawks on Tuesday, December 19.

Avalanche vs Blackhawks odds

Avalanche vs Blackhawks predictions

There is one player we are specifically targeting for this game: Chicago Blackhawks forward Philipp Kurashev. He has played the best hockey of his career this season and is tied for second on the team in assists.

Yes, that number may be boosted due to playing on the same line as Connor Bedard. However, that should not take away from the fact that Kurashev has taken advantage of the opportunity and is playing well in the offensive zone.

We are catching a great number in this market at DraftKings, where Kurashev’s assist prop returns at +170, a number that is five cents longer than anywhere else. While I undoubtedly expect the Colorado Avalanche to dominate this game, there are multiple reasons to be optimistic that the Reichel-Bedard-Kurashev lines find the back of the net at least once.

First of all, goaltender Alexandar Georgiev is slated to guard the cage for the Avs. It has been a difficult season for Georgiev, who owns a mere .895 SV%.

Colorado’s blue line has also not played up to expectations this year. At 5-on-5, the Avalanche rank 19th in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).

This poor defensive play at even-strength is worth noting for this Kurashev prop considering 82% of his assists this season have occurred during 5-on-5 play. We are catching a generous number in this spot because Kurashev has recorded just one assist through seven career games against Colorado.

My best bet: Philipp Kurashev Over 0.5 assists (+170)

Avalanche vs Blackhawks same-game parlay

Philipp Kurashev Over 0.5 assists

Avalanche moneyline

+306 at DraftKings

Typically, I suggest formulating your same-game parlays with plays that correlate well. However, in this particular case, I am not concerned about correlation regarding Kurashev making it to the scoresheet, even if the Avalanche still win the game.

Kurashev has recorded an assist in nine different games this season, and Chicago has lost six of those contests. Furthermore, Colorado has won seven of the past eight meetings between these two teams. The Avs are better offensively, defensively, on special teams, and in the faceoff circle.

The bulk of Chicago’s limited-scoring production has been from the Bedard-Kurashev pairing, but the Hawks remain 9-20-1 despite their efforts.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Avalanche vs Blackhawks moneyline and Over/Under analysis

The Avalanche opened as a –258 favorite and have since been bet down to -245. This market behavior shocked me as I thought this line would only balloon further to three dollars, but I suppose the national attention on Bedard and the reluctance to lay that much juice on a side has instilled enough fear in bettors.

That brings us to the total, which opened at 6.5 and remains at that number. I don't think there will be much movement in this market, given the poor defensive play of both teams this season and the fact that the Avs should do much of the heavy lifting themselves.

Avalanche vs Blackhawks betting trend to know

Colorado has hit the moneyline in 29 of its last 44 away games. Find more NHL betting trends for Avalanche vs. Blackhawks.

Avalanche vs Blackhawks game info

Avalanche vs Blackhawks latest injuries

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