Avalanche vs Bruins Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Lack of Depth Hurts Colorado

The Colorado Avalanche continue their road trip tonight with a matchup against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden.

The Avs bounced back last time out with a 7-4 comeback win in Ottawa for their fourth victory in five games. The B’s are also coming off a win, a 3-0 shutout against the Devils, for their second straight after a three-game losing streak.

These are two of the best teams in their respective conferences and although this may be thrown around too much, this is a potential Stanley Cup Final preview in the NHL odds.

Can the Bruins take care of business at home on Thursday night? Read on for our Avalanche vs. Bruins NHL picks and predictions on Thursday, January 18.

Avalanche vs Bruins odds

Avalanche vs Bruins predictions

The Boston Bruins ran away with the Presidents’ Trophy last season and they’re one of the top contenders to be the league leaders again. It’s been an impressive first half for the B’s after top centers Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci elected to retire following last year’s first-round exit.

Luckily, the Bruins still have one of the best goaltending tandems in the league. While last year’s Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark has taken a step back this season — well, a step back for him — he's still sporting a 13-5-2 record with a .915 SV% and 2.75 GAA, but he has been injured as of late.

The good thing for Boston is that Jeremy Swayman has turned into a Vezina Trophy candidate himself with his 13-3-7 record, .922 SV%, and 2.38 GAA.

"It's nice to see him have this opportunity. If Linus wasn't injured, we wouldn't have seen it," Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said. "His makeup is someone that wants the net every night. ... His mental attitude and his positivity, he exudes it. And it goes through our bench."

Boston also still has one of the best home-ice advantages in the league, having gone 13-3-3 at the Garden, and the Colorado Avalanche are just 11-8-3 on the road.

The Bruins recently hit a rut with three straight losses, but they still managed a point in all three as each went past regulation. Those three losses were also all on the road, where the B’s are just 13-5-6 this season. They returned home with a 3-0 shutout win over the Devils on Monday night.

Meanwhile, the Avalanche’s recent record has masked some of their problems. They’re just .500 on the road and are without a few key forwards in Artturi Lehkonen — who should return soon — and Valeri Nichushkin, who entered the NHL’s personal assistance program this week. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are great, but the Avs’ depth is suspect.

Colorado has also had issues between the pipes. All-Star goalie Alexandar Georgiev is 24-10-2 with an .896 SV% and 2.92 GAA — including 10-7-2 with a 3.11 GAA and 893 SV% on the road. Ivan Prosvetov (8-4-3, 3.16 GAA, .895 SV%) has struggled as the backup as well.

This should be a good game in Boston but you have to take the Bruins at home on Thursday night.

My best bet: Bruins moneyline (-142 at DraftKings)

Avalanche vs Bruins same-game parlay

Bruins moneyline

Under 6.5

Mikko Rantanen 4+ shots on goal

+484 at FanDuel

Boston is known for its lower-scoring style of play, and while that hasn’t always been the case throughout this season, we’re going with the Under 6.5 tonight.

The last five Bruins games all had six goals in regulation, but — unfortunately for Under bettors — three of them went to overtime. However, the B's are coming off a 3-0 shutout win at home, which could set the tone for tonight's matchup.

To close out the parlay we’re adding Mikko Rantanen to record at least four shots on goal. The Avalanche are missing a few forwards up front which should lead to Rantanen shooting the puck more. He’s gone Over 3.5 shots on goal in five straight, eight of his last nine, and 14 of his last 19 contests.

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

Avalanche vs Bruins moneyline and Over/Under analysis

The odds for this matchup between the Avalanche and Bruins haven't moved much since opening. You can get the Bruins as low as -142 (DraftKings) and the Avalanche as high as +122 (FanDuel).

The total is set at 6.5 at most books with a rogue six out there as well. You can get Over 6.5 (+102) and Under 6.5 (-120), or Over 6 (-120) and Under 6 (+105).

Avalanche vs Bruins betting trend to know

The Bruins have hit the 1P Moneyline in 54 of their last 89 games (+18.95 Units / 12% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Avalanche vs. Bruins.

Avalanche vs Bruins game info

Avalanche vs Bruins latest injuries

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