Colorado Avalanche vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction, 2/29/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Colorado Avalanche vs Chicago Blackhawks

Date: Thursday, February 29, 2024

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Avalanche (-286) Blackhawks (+225)

The Colorado Avalanche (36-19-5) are hitting the road to United Center on Thursday where they will play the Chicago Blackhawks (15-39-5). The line on this contest has Colorado at -286 while Chicago is sitting at +225. The total is set at 7.

The Colorado Avalanche were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 5-1 victory over the Stars in their previous game. Colorado garnered 4 penalty minutes in this contest. The Avalanche had a good offensive outing and it showed in the win. Additionally, they had 2 power play chances and scored 1 goal. While out there on the ice, they scored on 5 of the 27 shots they looked to score on.

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In terms of their scoring, the Colorado Avalanche have accumulated 219 goals (2nd in hockey) so far this year and have given up 188. For the year, they have earned 77 points and their points percentage is sitting at .642. Colorado has accumulated 215 power play chances and they have added 51 goals during those advantages, garnering them a rate of 23.72%. While at even strength, the Avalanche have surrendered 150 goals while having 168 on offense. Colorado has taken 1,918 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.4%. The Avalanche have seen 1,770 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .894. Colorado Avalanche opponents have recorded 200 power play opportunities (5th in professional hockey) and have scored 38 goals in those chances.

The player between the pipes for this game is Alexandar Georgiev. Georgiev has played in 240 contests during his professional hockey career. He has accumulated a mark of 129-78-20 and was named the starter in 227 games. Opponents have tallied 637 goals against Georgiev in his career and his goals against average per contest is 2.82. Georgiev has had 7,028 shot attempts taken against him and has accrued 6,391 saves. His save percentage currently is at .909 for his 13,573 minutes on the ice. Over the course of his time in hockey, Georgiev has 121 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .533.

When they were on the ice last, Chicago faced the Red Wings in a game where the Blackhawks took a loss by a final of 3-2. They had 1 opportunity on the power play in this contest and recorded 1 on that chance. The Blackhawks converted 2 goals out of the 35 shots on goal they tried.

On the year, the Chicago Blackhawks have accumulated 122 goals, 35 points, in addition to a points percentage of .297. They have granted a total of 207 goals to be scored by of a combination of 168 goals at even strength and 39 goals while they were shorthanded. The Blackhawks have 99 goals at even strength and 23 goals (32nd in the NHL) while on the power play. They have recorded 173 power play opportunities and they have a power play percentage of 13.29%. Chicago has attempted 1,557 shots (31st in pro hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 7.84%, while allowing their opponents 1,921 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 77.71% on their opponents 175 tries on the power play, and their save percentage comes in at 89.2%.

For the opposition you are likely to see Petr Mrazek patrolling the crease. Mrazek holds a career mark of 163-146-38 and has participated in 375 contests. Mrazek's quality start rate is 51.0% and he has qualified for 176 quality starts in his pro hockey career. He has racked up 9,551 stops out of the 10,525 shots attempted against him, which gives him a save percentage of .907. His opposition is averaging 2.78 goals/game and he has yielded 974 goals overall. He has been a starter 345 games and has played for a total of 20,984 minutes.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Colorado (-286)

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