Avalanche vs Blues Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Buying Low With the Defending Champs

Kicking off Sunday's slate is a Central Division tilt between the sixth-place St. Louis Blues and the third-place Colorado Avalanche.

Both of these clubs have underperformed relative to preseason expectations due to a myriad of reasons as each team desperately wants to start turning things around.

Will the Blues beat the Avs for the second time this season, or can Colorado grab a win on the road? Find out in our free NHL picks and predictions for Avalanche vs. Blues below.

Avalanche vs Blues best odds

Avalanche vs Blues picks and predictions

The defending Stanley Cup champions enter this contest amidst a four-game losing streak. With just a 13-10-2 record, injuries have plagued the Avs throughout the first quarter of the season.

For this game, they are expected to miss Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, Bowen Byram, and Evan Rodrigues. However, Colorado is starting to get guys back as Valeri Nichushkin returned to the lineup on Friday and Artturi Lehkonen is expected to return for this game.

Those are two extremely talented forwards that bring back much-needed depth for an Avs team that has struggled to score. The good news for Colorado is that the Blues are one of the worst defensive teams in the league.

At 5-on-5, St. Louis ranks just 20th in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). Its defense has looked disastrous this year, which makes sense considering the aging players on the blue line and the lack of depth at the position.

This lack of depth occurred before the year even started with the preseason injuries to defensemen Scott Perunovich and Marco Scandella. Goaltender Jordan Binnington, who has had a year to forget thus far, is backing up this thin defence.

Through 20 starts, he is 9-11 with a .889 save percentage and 3.42 goals against average. Among starting goaltenders, Binnington ranks 26th in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5-on-5.

Across the ice, goaltender Alexandar Georgiev is slated to get the start for the Avs, and he has been brilliant since getting shipped over from New York. Through 18 starts, Georgiev is 11-5-2 with a .920 SV% and 2.65 GAA.

At 5-on-5, he ranks 12th among starting goaltenders in GSAx/60. In front of Georgiev is one of the better defenses in hockey as Colorado ranks seventh in the league in xGA/60 at 5-on-5.

With some guys starting to return from injury, now is the time to buy low on the Avs against a Blues team that bleeds high-danger scoring chances on a nightly basis.

My best bet: Avalanche moneyline (-105 at DraftKings)

Avalanche vs Blues moneyline analysis

For those who enjoy wagering with more risk involved, the alternate puck line of –1.5 for Colorado will pay around +225 when it releases on Sunday morning. It probably would take an empty netter for that to cash, although this is a matchup that the Avs should dominate on paper.

Even without MacKinnon and Landeskog, this team is still extremely deep when factoring in the return of Nichushkin and Lehkonen. Without all four of those guys, Colorado has undoubtedly struggled but is still better than St. Louis statistically. 

Through the first quarter of the season, these two teams are neck-and-neck at 5-on-5 in xGF/60, while Colorado ranks 16 spots higher in the league standings in xGA/60. Then you look at the goaltending matchup, in which case the Avs possess a clear advantage.

Factor in a better coach and better special teams and the wrong team is favored in this contest despite the absence of a few key guys on Colorado’s side.

Avalanche vs Blues Over/Under analysis

My distrust in the Blues carries over to their offense, which is why the total is too difficult to take in this matchup. At 5-on-5, St. Louis ranks just 21st in the league in xGF/60.

This team has been immensely deep at the forward position over the past few seasons, but father time is starting to catch up with this group. Not only that but they are now tasked with going against an elite defense and strong goaltender in Georgiev.

Over Georgiev’s last four starts against St. Louis, he boasts a .927 SV% and 2.49 GAA. Colorado should score frequently, while the Blues may struggle to find the back of the net.

Avalanche vs Blues betting trend to know

The Colorado Avalanche have won six straight games when playing in St. Louis. Find more NHL betting trends for Avalanche vs Blues.

Avalanche vs Blues game info

Avalanche vs Blues key injuries

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