Arizona Coyotes at Colorado Avalanche odds, picks and predictions
The Arizona Coyotes (23-26-4) and the Colorado Avalanche (33-18-4) meet Sunday at Ball Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Coyotes vs. Avalanche odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Coyotes were pounded by the visiting Carolina Hurricanes on Friday, falling 5-1 at Mullett Arena. Arizona has just 1 point in the past 8 games, going 0-7-1. The Coyotes are also 0-5-2 in the past 7 tries on the road, last winning in regulation on Jan. 13 in Minnesota.
The Avalanche were doubled up 6-3 on the road against the Tampa Bay Lightning, going just 1-4-1 in the 6-game trip. The last time the Avs were on home ice was Jan. 26, a 5-1 victory against the Los Angeles Kings.
These teams have met 3 times this season, with the home team winning all 3 meetings. Colorado won 4-1 in the only previous battle in Denver, with Arizona winning a pair of OT games on Nov. 30 and Dec. 27 in the desert.
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Coyotes at Avalanche odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last update at 7:44 a.m. ET.
Coyotes at Avalanche projected goalies
Karel Vejmelka (6-13-2, 3.48 GAA, .896 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Alexandar Georgiev (28-13-3, 2.94 GAA, .898 SV%, 2 SO)
Vejmelka took it on the chin against the Hurricanes on Friday night, allowing 5 goals on 26 shots in the loss. He had been pretty good, allowing just 5 goals on 74 shots in his first 3 appearances in February. Vejmelka allowed 4 goals on 24 shots in a 5-4 OTW against the Avs on Dec. 27 in Arizona.
Georgiev allowed 3 goals on 27 shots in a 6-3 road win against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday in his most recent appearance. He is 1-2-1 with a 3.27 GAA and .895 SV% in 4 starts in February. Georgiev has faced the Coyotes 3 times this season, going 1-0-2 with a 3.17 GAA and .893 SV%.
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Coyotes at Avalanche picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 5, Coyotes 2
The Avalanche (-275) will cost you nearly 3 times as much as your potential return, and that’s way too much risk for not enough reward.
While the home side has won all 3 meetings this season, it’s the Coyotes (+220) with 2 wins in the series. If anything, they’d be worth a roll of the dice, but Arizona has been awful across the past 8 games, and it cannot be trusted.
PASS.
The AVALANCHE -1.5 (-115) are a better play on the puck line. Colorado won 4-1 in convincing fashion in its only previous home game against the Coyotes +1.5 (-105) this season, and it has covered as the favorite in the previous 2 home games against Arizona.
While the Coyotes always seem to play the Avalanche very tough, roll with the home side.
The OVER 6.5 (-110) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.
We’ve had 3 Over results in the past 4 meetings, although the total has gone low in the past 4 meetings in Denver.
Still, Vejmelka has been very giving in February, and the Avalanche have piled up 27 goals in the past 6 home games, cashing the Over in 4 of those outings.
