Colorado Avalanche vs St. Louis Blues Prediction, 12/29/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Colorado Avalanche vs St. Louis Blues

Date: Friday, December 29, 2023

Location: Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO

TV: Bally Sports Midwest

Odds/Point Spread: Avalanche (-155) Blues (+128)

The Colorado Avalanche (21-11-3) are hitting the road to Enterprise Center on Friday where they will attempt to defeat the St. Louis Blues (18-15-1). The moneyline on this contest has Colorado at -155 and St. Louis opens at +128. The over/under comes in at 7.

The Colorado Avalanche were on the wrong end of the scoreboard with a 5-4 loss to the Coyotes in their previous contest . Colorado earned 4 penalty minutes for this matchup. In addition, they had 3 chances on the power play and were able to score 2 goals. The Avalanche had a impressive offensive outing in this defeat. While out there on the ice, they tallied a score on 4 of the 24 shots they attempted.

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In relation to their scoring, the Colorado Avalanche have notched 128 goals (2nd in pro hockey) on the season and have conceded 108. For the season, they have earned 45 points and their points % is .643. Colorado comes into tonight with 130 power play chances and they have added 32 goals during those advantages, giving them a percentage of 24.62%. At even strength, the Avalanche have conceded 88 goals while having 96 on the offensive side of the ice. Colorado has attempted 1,120 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 11.4%. The Avalanche have had 1,027 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .895. Colorado Avalanche opponents have earned 121 power play opportunities (4th in the NHL) and have earned 20 goals in those chances.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Alexandar Georgiev. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Georgiev has accrued 113 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .546. His save percentage sits at .910 during his 12,342 mins guarding the cage. Georgiev has had 6,440 shots against him and has gathered 5,859 total saves. The opposition has notched 581 goals versus Georgiev in his NHL career and his goals against average per contest is 2.82. He has amassed an overall mark of 115-72-19 and he started in 207 games. Georgiev has played in 219 games over the course of his pro hockey career.

In their last game, St. Louis faced the Stars in a game where the Blues got the win by a mark of 2-1. They had 4 power play opportunities in this one but weren't able to finish one of them with a goal. The Blues recorded 2 goals of the 30 shots on goal they were seeking.

St. Louis has tried 1,042 shots (18th in professional hockey) and has a shot percentage of 9.69%, while allowing the opposition 1,096 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 79.35% on their opponents 92 power play chances, and their save percentage sits at 89.9%. They have a total of 99 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 11.11%. The Blues have scored 90 goals at even strength and 11 goals (32nd in hockey) while on the power play. They have permitted 111 goals to be scored by of a combination of 92 goals at even strength and 19 goals while they were shorthanded. For the year, the St. Louis Blues have notched a total of 101 goals, 37 points, as well as a points percentage of .544.

Across the ice you are expected to see Jordan Binnington protecting the goal. He has compiled 6,485 saves out of 7,161 shots tried, giving him a save % of .906. Binnington is the owner of a career record of 128-83-27 and has been in goal for 248 games. He got the starting nod in 241 games and has accumulated 14,338 minutes. Binnington's percentage of quality starts comes in at 51.0% and he has 123 quality starts in his hockey career. Teams are averaging 2.83 goals per game and he has relinquished 676 goals in total.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Colorado (-155)

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