Blue Jackets vs Avalanche Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Colorado's Top Line Too Much for Columbus

The Colorado Avalanche return home tonight, which is bad news for the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets who have to face the No.1 home team in hockey at 26-6 SU and the highest-scoring offense at 4.28 goals per game. It could be point night for Nathan MacKinnon and the Avs.

With Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucherov both putting up four points last night and the Art Ross race heating up, it’s not a question of if, it’s a question of how many when it comes to points from the Colorado top line vs. Columbus who has to deal with the altitude and possibly the absence of its No.1 defenseman. 

I break down the NHL odds and offer my NHL picks for Blue Jackets vs. Avalanche for Friday, March 22.  

Blue Jackets vs Avalanche odds

Blue Jackets vs Avalanche predictions

The Colorado Avalanche are a wagon at home which is why they’re as short as -425 in some places. Their team total is at 4.5 and with the +100 odds for the Over are implying about 4.2 goals from the home side. 

That might be a little low considering this offense is averaging 4.28 goals per game at Ball Arena and this matchup is better for the Colorado offense, especially with Zach Werenski very questionable after missing Thursday’s practice for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Blue Jackets are a Bottom-6 team in terms of expected goals allowed at 5-on-5 over the last 10 games and have a penalty kill that is also in the bottom third of the league, which is why they've dropped five of their last six games. It’s an elite matchup for the Avs offense tonight and this top line will rack up the points.

Nathan MacKinnon has pointed in each of his home games this year and Mikko Rantanen has contributed to a lot of those points. The winger is averaging 1.5 points at home this year and is coming off a three-goal performance vs. the Blues in the most recent 4-1 win.

Rantanen is the better value for two-plus points at +120 while MacKinnon is -120 for Over 1.5. Both have a great chance for a two-point night as MacKinnon needs to stack some points tonight after Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucherov put up four points on Thursday in what is turning into a tight Art Ross race down the stretch.

Playing in altitude has been very difficult on opposing teams in Colorado this season and the Avs are humming. It’s point night for the top line and there aren’t many ways to go wrong targeting Rantanen, MacKinnon, Valeri Nichushkin, and even Cale Makar. 

My best bet: Mikko Rantanen Over 1.5 points (+120 at bet365)

Blue Jackets vs Avalanche same-game parlay

Mikko Rantanen Over 1.5 points

Nathan MacKinnon Over 1.5 points

Valeri Nichushkin Over 1.5 points

+650 at bet365

It's a full stack on the Avs' top line who also play together on the top power-play unit. The trio was great on the four-game road trip but at home, the three skaters have been even better. Mackinnon is averaging 2.2 points per game on home ice, Rantanen is at 1.5 points per game, and Nichushkin sits at 1.27 points per game. It looks like a lot of points, but this is a stack that has cashed in the first period before. With five goals likely coming from Colorado, these guys will factor in on at least three of them.

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

Blue Jackets vs Avalanche moneyline and Over/Under analysis

The Avs have shortened up by as many as 75 points since opening at -350. The total has also moved five points to the Over on the original 6.5 opening total which is as high as -130 in some places.

Columbus is coming from a Detroit game on Wednesday so the time to acclimate to the altitude is low. They’re also possibly without No.1 defenseman Zach Werenski, who is the best skater on the team and was coming off a three-point effort in the 4-3 overtime loss to the Red Wings. With blueliner Adam Boqvist still out, Columbus might be calling up some AHL-level talent tonight vs. the best home offense in hockey. 

Colorado has lost just six times on home ice over 32 games at Ball Arena this season while the Blue Jackets rank 28th in point percentage on the road with a goal differential per game at nearly a full goal. 

The goaltending matchup also favors the home side with projected starters Alex Georgiev vs. Elvis Merzlikins who has a .881 save percentage over the last 30 days and a 2-5 SU record. 

The Avs won the only meeting this season back in November in Columbus with a 5-1 final, outshooting the BJs 45 to 32. They closed as a -220 road favorite in that game. 

With the Puck Line at -160 for the Avs, a look at their team total Over 4.5 at +100 is likely the better option. Colorado has scored five or more goals at home in nine of the team’s last 19 games. 

Blue Jackets vs Avalanche betting trend to know

The Colorado Avalanche have covered the Puck Line in 24 of their last 42 games at home (+12.85 Units / 28% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Blue Jackets vs. Avalanche.

Blue Jackets vs Avalanche game info

Blue Jackets vs Avalanche latest injuries

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