Colorado Avalanche vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, NHL Odds
The Avalanche have been aggressive on the trade front, completely overhauling their goaltending tandem, and it’s already paying dividends after a 4-0 win in New Jersey on Sunday. The Pens have struggled this season, but they got back in the win column with a 5-2 home win against Toronto on Saturday.
Colorado is a -160 favourite to win on the NHL odds, with the total set at 6.5.
Avalanche vs. Penguins NHL Betting Odds
These teams split the season series and the Over/Under last year. The home team came out on top in both games, with Pittsburgh winning 4-0 in October and the Avalanche winning 5-4 in overtime in March.
Both teams have been bad cover options for bettors, but Colorado has been particularly terrible at 8-21 against the spread. The Pens are 13-16 ATS.
The Avalanche have lost four of their last five trips to Pittsburgh, which is even more concerning with how the Penguins have been playing lately. Pittsburgh has won five of their last six games, although they’ve dropped five straight against Central Division opponents.
Both teams have trended toward higher scoring games. Colorado has hit the Over 15 times this season, while the Pens have finished above the number 16 times.
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado continued their goalie overhaul on Monday. The Avs sent struggling goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, forward Nikolai Kovalenko, a 2025 fifth-round draft pick and a 2026 second-round pick to San Jose for goalie Mackenzie Blackwood, forward Givanni Smith and a 2027 fifth-round pick. This comes a little over a week after Colorado traded Justus Annunen to Nashville for Scott Wedgewood. Both deals are an upgrade in net for the Avalanche, who have the worst team save percentage in the NHL.
Blackwood is expected to be the No. 1 option for Colorado going forward, but he is dealing with an illness and headed straight to Denver after the trade. That means Wedgewood will make his second straight start on Tuesday in Pittsburgh. The 32-year-old has made three appearances for the Avs this year, stopping 77 of 81 shots faced (.951 save percentage). Wedgewood posted a 25-save shutout against New Jersey on Sunday.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Rickard Rakell and Michael Bunting scored power play goals on Saturday, while Bryan Rust scored at even strength. Blake Lizotte and Kris Letang scored short-handed empty-netters to seal Pittsburgh’s fifth win in their last six games. The power play has been a strength for the Pens lately, with the team converting on the mad advantage in seven of their last 11 games. Sidney Crosby, who leads the team with 27 points (8G, 19A), assisted on Rust’s goal to move into a tie with Gordie Howe for fifth-most assists with one franchise in NHL history.
Tristan Jarry is expected to get the start in net on Tuesday. After being demoted to the AHL at one point this season, Jarry has turned things around. He made 25 stops against Toronto for his fourth straight win. Overall, the 29-year-old is 5-3-1 with a 3.68 goals-against average and .888 SV. Jarry has a .914 SV on his current win streak.
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