Ottawa Senators vs. Colorado Avalanche Prediction, NHL Odds
We’ve got a jam-packed night in the NHL, and part of a 12-game slate brings us an intra-conference matchup between the Ottawa Senators and Colorado Avalanche.
This is the first of two meetings this season, and with both teams on two-game losing streaks, we should be in for a hard-fought battle. Here is my Senators vs. Avalanche preview and prediction.
Senators vs. Avalanche NHL Betting Odds
So far this season, the Colorado Avalanche are 23-19 on the puckline, while Ottawa is 17-25. In the game totals, Colorado is 18-24 to the Over, while Ottawa is 25-17. Tonight, the Avalanche come in as major moneyline favourites, at -260 on the NHL odds as opposed to the Senators at +210. Colorado’s puckline (-1.5) odds sit at -105, while Ottawa’s (+1.5) are -115.
Nathan MacKinnon (-135), Brock Nelson (+155), and Martin Necas (+155) have the shortest odds to score in this game for Colorado. MacKinnon is one to watch, as he leads the league in goals (35) but hasn’t lit the lamp in two straight games. He’s only gone scoreless three games in a row twice this season. Brady Tkachuk (+210) leads the way for Ottawa, but he’s recently struggled and has just one goal in eight games.
One final market worth watching is the first period total and moneyline. Colorado has a 20-8-14 first period record, while Ottawa is just 14-13-15. However, the Sens have a 26-16 mark to the 1P Over, while the Avs are 23-18-1. We could see fireworks early tonight.
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators (20-17-5) have had a volatile season thus far. Their mediocre record has them last in the Atlantic Division and two points from the bottom of the Eastern Conference. However, they are also just four points from a wild card spot, so there is no reason to panic.
They remain without their starting goaltender Linus Ullmark due to a leave of absence, but otherwise are only without Lars Eller. This lack of injuries may be the only advantage they have in this game, and they will need all the help they can get.
Regardless of the effort Ottawa can muster, I see them having a tough go. They are playing in their second road game in as many nights, and with a two-game losing streak at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings and Utah Mammoth, this will not get easier.
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche (31-4-7) continue what has been a possible record-breaking season. While they sit at the top of the NHL standings with a nine-point cushion, they have lost two straight games in regulation, which seemed impossible. While this did not hurt their standing, they should come out firing.
Colorado is facing many key injuries right now, as they are without goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, captain Gabriel Landeskog, and stud defender Devon Toews. However, led by MacKinnon and Cale Makar, I have no worries about this matchup against Ottawa.
Colorado is on home ice, where they have absolutely dominated. They are 17-0-2 in their home building, and they now welcome a team that only wins 50 per cent of their road games (10-8-2). Even with Ottawa being the healthier team, Colorado’s star power, depth, and coaching outmatch them.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Senators vs. Avalanche?
Not only is this a tall task for the inconsistent Senators, but a game on the road against the Avalanche is tough for any team. The Avalanche return home after a three-game road trip, which should boost them as they push to return to the win column. Their recent losses do not concern me, as they were against threatening teams within the league (Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers).
I do not expect an upset here, as I see the Avs winning by a score of 5-2, and MacKinnon should get back on track in the goal-scoring department.
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