Colorado Avalanche Travel to Ney Jersey to Face the Devils

The Colorado Avalanche will head to the Prudential Center on Tuesday night to take on the New Jersey Devils in a non-conference matchup. This will be the first of two games against one another this season.

The Avalanche are leading the Central Division (40-11-5, 85 points) and are riding a two-game losing streak, while the Devils are last in the Metropolitan Division (19-31-5, 43 points) and have also lost their previous two games. 

These teams seem to be heading in two completely different directions this season, so we should be in for an interesting match between the Avalanche and the Devils.  

Game Preview: Colorado Avalanche at New Jersey Devils March 8th

The offense for the Colorado Avalanche have been dominant as they are averaging 3.91 goals on 35.2 shot attempts per game. Center Nazem Kadri has been playing incredibly well as he is tied for fifth in the sport in points and fourth in the NHL in assists, as he has 70 points (22 goals, 48 assists) this season, including six points in their previous five games.

Compare that to the New Jersey Devils, who are scoring 3.04 goals on 31.7 shots per game thus far. Left winger Jesper Bratt has led the Devils in points, assists, and goals as he has recorded 50 points (19 goals, 31 assists) with seven points in his last five games. 

Darcy Kuemper has been playing extremely well as he is 27-6-2 with 2.53 goals and a 91.8 save percentage this season for the Avalanche. He has been on a completely different level than the Devils’ goalie Mackenzie Blackwood, who is currently 9-9-3 with an 89.4 save percentage and 3.29 goals allowed per game.

As a whole, these defenses are showing a huge difference as Colorado is giving up 2.82 goals on 31.1 shot attempts while New Jersey is allowing 3.56 goals against on 31.1 shots this season.

Colorado Avalanche at New Jersey Devils Betting Prediction

These two franchises have been playing at two completely different levels this season as the Avalanche have a real chance of capturing a Stanley Cup this season while the Devils have a chance at the first overall pick in the draft.

Kuemper has been a beast inside of the net this year, and it makes sense. Looking at the defenses as of late this season, the Avalanche are giving up three goals per game in their last five while the Devils are allowing 4.25 goals per game in their last four. Colorado is currently 28-27 against the spread thus far, while New Jersey is sitting at 26-29 against the spread.

All in all, go with the Colorado Avalanche to cover the puck line on the road, as it seems to be the best option in this game.

* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.