Colorado Avalanche vs. Chicago Blackhawks Prediction, NHL Odds

Nik Kowalski | Updated Jan 08, 2025

The Chicago Blackhawks close out a rough five-game home stand with a bout against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night.

Colorado
33-22-1-1
AT
January 08, 2025, 7:30 PM ET
United Center
Chicago
17-31-5-2
Puckline -1.5 +105
Moneyline -250
Over / Under o +7
Puckline +1.5 -125
Moneyline +200
Over / Under u +7

Chicago was able to snap a five-game overall skid during this home stretch, but outside of that lone win it’s been a trio of four-goal losses. Keeping pucks out of the net has been difficult for the Blackhawks, who rank 28th in goals allowed with 3.43 per game and have allowed at least four in six of their last seven outings.

The NHL’s leading scorer is now coming into town as Nathan MacKinnon’s Avalanche look to keep building off a successful December. Colorado’s on a 8-1-1 run and have climbed into a tie for third in the Pacific Division with 51 points.

Puck drop at the United Center Wednesday starts at 7:30 p.m. EST with the Avalanche coming in as a -250 moneyline favourite on the road and the over-under at 6.5 on the NHL odds.

Avalanche vs. Blackhawks NHL Betting Odds

Colorado’s improved goaltending has turned the Avs into an under team as of late. The under has hit in six of the Avs last nine outings overall and six of their last seven on the road. Colorado’s let in no more than two goals in seven of their last eight times taking the ice.

Six of the last seven Avalanche–Blackhawks matchups have finished under the total too, with the exception being their first and only meeting this season — a 5-2 Blackhawks win. Ryan Donato scored twice in that win for Chicago.

Chicago’s at least had a chance at home this season, going 8-11 thus far. Colorado’s won five of their last seven visits to Chicago, including a 5-0 victory most recently.

Colorado Avalanche

The addition of goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood has the Avalanche rolling. Since coming via San Jose by trade, Blackwood is 7-1-1 and turned away 26 of 27 shots in Monday’s 3-1 win over Florida. The Avalanche could easily decide to rest Blackwood against Chicago, as Colorado plays at Minnesota on Thursday night. If Blackwood does get the night off against Chicago and their 31st-ranked offence (2.53 goals per game), 23-year-old Trent Miner would be in line to make his first NHL start. Miner appeared on December 15 versus Washington — his only NHL action — and stopped 12 of 13 shots faced.

With an empty net goal on Monday, Mikko Rantanen extended his point streak to 14 games and scoring streak to five games. With an assist on Rantanen’s goal, Nathan MacKinnon made it eight straight games with a helper. Five of those eight games have been multi-assist nights for MacKinnon, the NHL points leader with 66.

Chicago Blackhawks

Sunday’s 6-2 defeat was a lot of the same old issues for the Blackhawks, highlighted by poor goaltending and in ability to hold an early lead. Chicago scored first in the 6-2 loss to New York and the Blackhawks are now 11-12-2 this season when scoring first. Arvid Soderblom stopped 28 of 34 shots faced, which was one of the weakest outings for the 25-year-old goalie. Soderblom’s played 18 games to Peter Mrazek’s 23, but it’s Soderblom who has a .905 save percentage on the season and Mrazek an .893 save percentage.

Tyler Bertuzzi has scored in three straight games for Chicago and is the team leader with 14 goals. Connor Bedard has a point in seven straight outings and has a team high 35. The duo not only makes up most of Chicago’s top line, but most of the team’s offensive production lately.

NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Avalanche vs. Blackhawks?

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