Colorado Avalanche vs Nashville Predators Prediction, 12/16/2021 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Colorado Avalanche vs Nashville Predators

Date: Thursday, December 16, 2021

Location: Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN

TV: Bally Sports South

Darcy Kuemper and the Colorado Avalanche (17-7-2) head to Bridgestone Arena on Thursday where they'll meet the Nashville Predators (17-10-1).

The Colorado Avalanche were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 4-2 win over the Rangers in their last contest. The Avalanche had a solid offensive performance in the win. In the game, they tallied a score on 4 out of the 31 shots they tried. Additionally, they had 6 chances with the advantage and were able to notch 1 goal. Colorado accumulated 17 penalty minutes for this game.

With regard to their goal scoring prowess, the Colorado Avalanche have earned 112 goals (1st in the National Hockey League) this season and have given up 86. For the year, they have recorded 36 points and their points percentage is .692. Colorado is sitting with 103 power play opportunities and they have notched 24 goals out of those tries, garnering them a percentage of 23.30%. While at even strength, the Avalanche have given up 68 goals while scoring 88 themselves. Colorado has tried 884 shots and holds a shot percentage of 12.7%. The Avalanche have had 795 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .892. Colorado Avalanche opponents have totaled 77 power play opportunities (20th in the NHL) and have earned 18 goals in those chances.

The man in goal for this game is Darcy Kuemper. Opponents have been able to score 610 goals versus Kuemper in his pro hockey career and his average for goals against per game is 2.49. Kuemper has been in goal for 261 matchups during his pro hockey career. He has a save percentage of .916 in his 14,683 minutes on the ice. He has earned a mark of 119-88-32 and was named the starter in 244 games. For his professional hockey career, Kuemper has accrued 137 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .561. Kuemper has had 7,269 shot attempts against him and has garnered 6,659 total saves.

In their last contest, Nashville played the Rangers in an outing where the Predators took home the win by a mark of 1-0. They had 1 power play attempt in this contest but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Predators had 1 goal out of the 24 shots on goal they were seeking.

Nashville has tried 833 shots (22nd in the league) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 9.60%, while allowing their opponents 831 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 78.41% on their opponents 88 power play tries, and their save percentage currently comes in at 91.0%. They have recorded 76 chances on the power play and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 23.68%. The Predators are sitting with 62 goals at even strength and 18 goals (10th in the league) while on the power play. They have allowed 75 goals to be scored by of a combination of 56 goals at even strength and 19 goals while they were shorthanded. This season, the Nashville Predators have earned a total of 80 goals, 35 points, and a points percentage of .625.

Across the rink you will find Juuse Saros defending the goal. He is sitting with 4,766 stops out of the 5,175 shots taken against him, giving him a save % of .921. Saros has amassed a lifetime mark of 89-55-18 and has been in goal for 177 contests. He has made the start in 161 games and his ice time sits at 9,967 mins. Saros' rate of quality starts comes out to 62.7% and he has 101 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. Opponents are averaging 2.46 goals per game and he has relinquished 409 goals overall.

Who will win tonight's hockey game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Colorado

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