The Colorado Avalanche has been an obvious Stanley Cup championship favorite for the past three seasons on the future market. Most gamblers believe Colorado should have won at least one of the past two Stanley Cup titles. Yet the Avalanche could not finish when it mattered most. Colorado will host what could be another future Stanley Cup champion this Saturday. Last season, Pittsburgh was written off as too old and lacking depth. But the arrival of President Brian Burke and General Manager Ron Hextall one year ago changed the narrative. Since their arrival, the Penguins have returned to championship status. Pittsburgh is within range of the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Colorado Avalanche will host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. This game will take place on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at 3 p.m. ET, with television coverage on ABC.
NHL Betting Lines at BookMaker.eu
The Penguins and Avalanche are two of the most popular teams listed on the NHL board for Saturday's game. Betting action will be split evenly between these two popular and respected franchises. Colorado will get a better price at home than usual. The reason is that the Penguins have such a powerful brand as to draw wagering activity that other teams would not.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh has a record of 40-17-10 straight up and 33-31 over/under. Pittsburgh ranks 13th for goal scoring and 15th for power play efficiency. The Penguins are 5th for goals against and 2nd for penalty killing on the defensive end.Pittsburgh has won six of their last nine games. Three of their most recent four games went over the total.
Center Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins with 24 goals, 45 assists, and a +12. In comparison, left wing Jake Guentzel adds 31 goals and 34 assists with a +8. Top goaltender Tristan Jarry brings a strong .922 save percentage.
On the road, Pittsburgh is 2-4 against the spread. As an underdog, Pittsburgh is 3-5 vs. the line. In interconference games, the Penguins are 7-3 on the board. On the road, Pittsburgh is 2-8-1 under the total. As an underdog, Pittsburgh is 4-2-1 over the total. In interconference games, the Penguins are 2-4 under the number
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado brings a record of 46-14-6 straight up and 35-26 over/under. At Ball Arena, the Avalanche is 26-4-3. Overall, the Avs rank 2nd for goal scoring and 6th for power play efficiency. Colorado ranks 9th for goals against and 17th for penalty killing on the defensive end. Colorado has won five of its most recent seven games. And then the Avs are 2-6 to the under in their last eight games.
Center Nazem Kadri leads the Avalanche with 26 goals, 55 assists, and a +17. Right wing Mikko Rantanen has a team-best 33 goals with 45 assists and a +32. And then defenseman Cale Makar adds 24 goals, 49 assists, and a +38. Top goaltender Darcy Kuemper brings a save percentage of .923.
At home, Colorado is 6-3 against the spread. As a favorite, Colorado is 5-2 vs. the line. In interconference games, the Avs are 4-2 on the board. At home, Colorado is 4-3 over the total. As a favorite, the Avs 2-6 under the number. In interconference games, the Avs are 6-1-1 over the total
Pittsburgh vs. Colorado Prediction
Pittsburgh is 12-6 against Colorado vs. the spread in this series. The Pens and Avs are 3-1-1 over the total. At Colorado, the Pens are 3-2 vs. the number. Also, this series is 3-1-1 over the total at Colorado
The Avalanche will get the lowest possible home favorite price, as we touched on previously. Colorado is one of the few teams with the firepower to put the Penguins away.
BookMaker Pick: Colorado Avalanche
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