Colorado Avalanche at Pittsburgh Penguins odds, picks and predictions
The Colorado Avalanche (6-0-0) take on the Pittsburgh Penguins (2-4-0) Thursday at PPG Paints Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+/Hulu). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Avalanche vs. Penguinsodds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Avs have stormed out of the gates, rolling over every opponent in their path. They took down the New York Islanders, 7-4 Tuesday, and froze over the Carolina Hurricanes 6-4 Saturday. RW Mikko Rantanen leads the team with 5 goals, 7 assists and 12 points.
The Pens have dropped 3 in a row after a 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars Tuesday. They are 2-1 when they score 3 goals but have lost all 3 when they do not. D Erik Karlsson was a big-time offseason acquisition, and he has 1 goal and 3 assists in 6 games. He should eventually turn it on, but there appears to be some growing pains as he adapts to his new team.
Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team's out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!
Avalanche at Penguins odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:34 a.m. ET.
Avalanche at Penguins projected goalies
Alexandar Georgiev (6-0-0, 1.98 GAA, .930 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Tristan Jarry(1-3-0, 2.81 GAA, .892 SV%, 1 SO)
Georgiev has started and won every game thus far with Pavel Francouz out with a groin injury. There's obviously a chance that Ivan Prosvetov makes his 1st start, and that would change some things, but Georgiev is expected to go. After allowing 4 goals in his first 4 games combined, Georgiev has allowed 4 in each of the last 2 games. The Pens beat him in his only meeting against them last year. He stopped 40 of 44 shots.
Jarry has allowed 4 goals in each of his last 2 starts as well. He shut out the Washington Capitals in the game before that. So he's seeking some kind of rhythm. Jarry was great in his lone start against Colorado last season, beating them 5-2 with 28 saves on 30 shots.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Avalanche at Penguins picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 4, Penguins 2
The Pens have won 5 of the last 7 meetings against the Avs, but I just can't bring myself to side with them with the way each team is playing. If Colorado brings in the backup tendy, all bets are off. However, if Georgiev goes, I'm taking the AVALANCHE -135 or puck line.
The Avs are 5-1 on the puck line thus far and 2-1 on the road. Two of the last 3 meetings have been decided by more than a goal. The Pens don't have a lot of speed, and Colorado has a ton of it. Personally, I would skip the ML and take the AVALANCHE -1.5 (+180) for the value.
I'm not a fan of this total unless Colorado puts Prosvetov between the pipes. I would go Over there. I do like the Over, but just not enough to spend -120 for 7 goals, which I don't like doing in the 1st place. Two of the last 3 meetings have hit this number, but I'm going to PASS. If you want to place a live bet if the number comes down to 5.5, that's the route I'd take.
