Avalanche vs. Blues: Expert Pick, Odds, and Analysis, February 18th, 2023

Odds

2021-2022 season stats

Preview

The St Louis Blues continue at home and will host the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday afternoon at the Enterprise Center. These teams already faced each other 3 times so far this season and the Avs lead 2-1. The last time they met in St Louis the Avalanche won the game 3-2 in overtime.

Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche recently secured a hard-fought victory against the Minnesota Wild, clinching a 3-2 win. Nathan MacKinnon proved instrumental in their triumph, with a goal and an assist. Devon Toews also demonstrated his playmaking prowess, notching two assists. Andrew Cogliano and Denis Malgin each scored a goal, contributing to the team's impressive performance. Alexandar Georgiev was stellar in the net, blocking 41 out of the 43 shots that came his way.

The Avalanche's offense has been on the rise lately, with the team scoring three or more goals in seven out of their last ten games. They currently rank 21st in the league in goals per game, while their shots per game rank eighth. Mikko Rantanen has been a standout player for the Avs, leading the team with 63 points and 34 goals. Rantanen's goal-scoring prowess ranks him tied for fifth in the league for goals. Nathan MacKinnon has also been impressive, with 62 points in just 42 games played.

While the defense has been less than stellar, the Avalanche's goaltending has been a significant factor in the team's success. The team ranks ninth in the league in goals against per game, while their shots against per game rank 25th. Alexandar Georgiev boasts an impressive record of 22-12-4, with a 2.66 GAA and a .918 SV%. Pavel Francouz, who has a record of 7-7-1, has a 2.53 GAA and .919 SV%, but he is currently questionable with a lower-body injury. Cale Makar has also been an invaluable member of the team's defense, with 45 points on the season. Makar's point-scoring prowess ranks him seventh in the league, tied for fourth in goals, and tied for ninth in assists among all defensemen.

The Colorado Avalanche currently sit at third place in the Central Division, and with their talented roster, they are poised to make a significant run in the season's final stretch. As the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the team is no stranger to success, and it would not be surprising to see the Avalanche catch up to the Stars and take the division lead. Although they trail Dallas by eight points, the team's strong offense and solid goaltending make them a formidable opponent for any team in the league.

In summary, the Colorado Avalanche have been performing well lately, with their offense steadily improving and their goaltending proving to be a significant asset. With the likes of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar leading the way, the Avalanche have the talent and skill to make a deep playoff run this season. 

St Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues secured a hard-fought victory against the New Jersey Devils, with a score of 4-2. Brayden Schenn and Jordan Kyrou played instrumental roles in the win, each scoring a goal and adding an assist to their tally. Robert Thomas also proved his playmaking prowess, recording two assists. Alexey Toropchenko and Pavel Buchnevich also made valuable contributions by each scoring a goal. Jordan Binnington was sharp in the net, blocking 34 out of the 36 shots he faced.

Unfortunately, the Blues' offense has been struggling in recent games, with the team only scoring three or fewer goals in six out of their last ten games. As a result, they currently rank 18th in the league in goals per game and 28th in shots per game. Jordan Kyrou has been the standout player on offense for the Blues, leading the team with 53 points and 25 goals. Robert Thomas, Pavel Buchnevich, and Brayden Schenn have also made valuable contributions, with 48, 43, and 43 points respectively.

The defense and goaltending have both been less than impressive for the Blues this season. The team currently ranks 26th in the league in goals against per game and 21st in shots against per game. Jordan Binnington has a record of 21-18-3, with a 3.25 GAA and .893 SV%, while Thomas Greiss has a record of 5-7-0, with a 3.29 GAA and .906 SV%. Justin Faulk has also been a notable contributor on the defensive end, with 26 points.

Currently, the St. Louis Blues sit at sixth place in a highly competitive Central Division, and they are six points away from a Wild Card spot. If the Blues hope to make it to the postseason, they will need to go on a significant run in their remaining games. However, with the team's offense struggling, and their defense and goaltending proving inconsistent, the road ahead may be challenging.

In conclusion, the St. Louis Blues are a team with significant potential, but their recent struggles on offense, and inconsistent defense and goaltending, have made their path to the playoffs more challenging. With Jordan Kyrou leading the charge, and the likes of Robert Thomas, Pavel Buchnevich, and Brayden Schenn providing support, the team has the talent and skill to turn things around. Fans of the team will be hoping that the Blues can find their form and secure a place in the postseason, but they will need to address their current struggles to achieve this goal.

BETTING TRENDS

Colorado are 9-4 SU in their last 13 games.

Colorado are 12-4 SU in their last 16 games against St. Louis.

The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Colorado's last 10 games on the road.

Colorado are 7-0 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against St. Louis.

Colorado are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games against an opponent in the Western Conference conference.

The total has gone OVER in 5 of St. Louis' last 6 games at home.

St. Louis are 0-7 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against Colorado.

St. Louis are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games against an opponent in the Western Conference conference.

The total has gone OVER in 16 of St. Louis' last 20 games played on a Saturday.

Prediction

The Colorado Avalanche find themselves in the midst of a challenging stretch, having lost three of their last four games. However, two of those losses came at the hands of the formidable Tampa Bay Lightning, who are currently one of the hottest teams in the league. Despite these recent setbacks, the Avalanche remain a force to be reckoned with, boasting an impressive record on the road and a recent history of success against the St. Louis Blues.

Indeed, the Avalanche have won their last seven games against the Blues in St. Louis, a feat that highlights the team's dominance over their opponents. While the Blues have been on a roll of late, averaging an impressive 5.3 goals per game in their last three wins, they face a tough challenge against one of the toughest defensive teams in the league.

That being said, the Avalanche are the better team on paper, with an impressive record and an array of talented players who can impact the game at both ends of the ice. The likes of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar have been instrumental in the team's success this season, and their performance will be critical in securing a win against the Blues.

The Colorado Avalanche will come out on top in this upcoming matchup against the St. Louis Blues. While the Blues have been impressive in recent games, they face a significant challenge in a talented Avalanche team that has dominated them in the past. With their solid defense and dynamic offense, the Avalanche have what it takes to emerge victorious and get back on track after a challenging stretch of games.

PICK: Avalanche ML (-160)

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