Montreal Canadiens vs Colorado Avalanche Prediction, 12/21/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Colorado Avalanche

Date: Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Location: Ball Arena in Denver, CO

TV: Altitude Sports

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (+215) Avalanche (-265)

The Colorado Avalanche (17-11-2) will go up against the Montreal Canadiens (15-15-2) at Ball Arena on Wednesday. The moneyline on this game has the Canadiens at +215 and the Avalanche are sitting at -265. The betting total comes in at 6.

The Montreal Canadiens were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 3-2 victory over the Coyotes in their previous outing. The Canadiens had an average offensive output in this win. In the matchup, they scored on 3 out of the 26 shots they tried. They also had 2 power play opportunities but weren't able to net one. Montreal had 4 mins in the box for this matchup.

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While playing at even strength, the Canadiens have conceded 88 goals while earning 74 of their own. Montreal Canadiens opponents have totaled 116 power play tries (8th in professional hockey) and have a total of 24 goals in those attempts. With respect to their scoring capabilities, the Montreal Canadiens have accounted for 88 goals (26th in the league) on the campaign and have allowed 112. Montreal has taken 919 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 9.6%. For the year, they have 32 points and their points % is .500. The Canadiens have had 1,055 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .894. Montreal has accumulated 102 power play opportunities and they have scored 14 goals during those chances, garnering them a percentage of 13.73%.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Jake Allen. Throughout his time in hockey, Allen has compiled 187 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .528. He has a save percentage of .910 for his 21,017 mins played. Allen has seen 10,302 shots against him and has recorded 9,377 total saves. Opponents have been able to score 925 goals against Allen in his NHL career and his goals against rate is 2.64. He has earned a win-loss record of 177-138-35 and he has started in 354 games. Allen has taken the ice for 374 contests over the course of his professional hockey career.

When they took the ice last, Colorado faced the Islanders in an outing where the Avalanche got the tie by a final of 0-0. They had 2 power play attempts in this one but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Avalanche scored 0 goals of the 46 shots on goal they were seeking.

Colorado has taken 992 shots (17th in pro hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 8.87%, while allowing their opponents 962 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 76.77% on their oppositions 99 power play tries, and their save percentage currently sits at 91.7%. They have a tally of 103 opportunities on the power play and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 27.18%. The Avalanche have racked up 60 goals at even strength and 28 goals (7th in the NHL) while on the power play. They have allowed 80 goals to be scored by of a combination of 57 goals at even strength and 23 goals while they had less men on the ice. On the season, the Colorado Avalanche have a total of 88 goals, 36 points, in addition to a points percentage of .600.

For the opposition you will find Alexandar Georgiev protecting the net. He has a tally of 4,026 stops out of 4,421 shots attempted, which gives him a save percentage of .911. Georgiev has accumulated a career mark of 71-54-13 and has participated in 150 games. He has started in 138 games and his ice time sits at 8,271 minutes. Georgiev's percentage of quality starts comes out to 52.9% and he has 73 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. His opposition is averaging 2.87 goals/game and he has surrendered 395 goals overall.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Montreal (+215)

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