The Pittsburgh Penguins (30-30-9) travel to face off against the Colorado Avalanche (45-20-5) on Sunday, March 24th. This game will be played at Ball Arena in Denver and televised on TNT. The Avalanche are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Penguins are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Stars. Puck drop is set for 2:00 ET.
Penguins vs Avalanche
The Pittsburgh Penguins Look To Bounce Back From A Loss
Heading into tonight’s game in Colorado, the Penguins are in 13th place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 30-30-9. In the Metropolitan division, they are in 7th place. On the road this season, Pittsburgh is 12-17-5.
Over their last ten games, the Penguins are just 3-7 and have lost two straight games. As the underdog, Pittsburgh has lost eight straight games.
On the road, the Penguins have gone 0-3 vs. the puck line in their last three games. For the season, their puck line record is 31-38, including a road mark of 15-19. Pittsburgh has 21 wins by multiple goals and has been the underdog in 27 games.
So far, the Penguins’ average scoring differential is -.1 goals per game. In their last ten road games, their puck line record is 4-6. In their last ten games vs. the puck line, the team is just 3-7.
The Penguins aim to bounce back following their 4-2 loss on the road to the Stars. The Penguins managed to find the net one time in the 3rd period against the Stars, following their one goal in the first period. All two goals came at even strength. They finished with 22 shots on goal and had 4 turnovers.
Pittsburgh entered as the underdog and suffered both a straight-up loss and did not cover the puck line. The game ended below the over/under line of 6.5, with a combined total of 6 goals.
The Colorado Avalanche Are Coming Off A Win
At home this season, the Avalanche have been dominant, going 27-6-0 and winning five straight games. In the Western Conference, Colorado is in second place and has a record of 30-12 against conference opponents. Overall, the Avalanche have won eight straight games and have a record of 45-20-5.
As the favorite, Colorado has gone 40-14-5 this season and has won six straight games when favored. Against the Central Division, the Avalanche have a record of 13-8 and have won nine of their last ten games. In their last three games, Colorado has gone 3-0 and is 5-0 in their last five games.
At home this year, the Avalanche have an average scoring differential of +1.9 goals per game. Overall, their puck line mark for the season is 35-35, and they have gone 30-29 against the puck line when favored. In their last ten home games, Colorado has a puck line record of 7-3.
So far, the Avalanche have 32 wins by multiple goals, and in their last five games, they have gone 4-1 against the puck line. In their last three games, their puck line record is 2-1, and their average scoring margin when favored is +1.2 goals per contest.
In their previous game, the Avalanche hosted the Blue Jackets and game away with a 6-1 win. Against the Blue Jackets, Avalanche’s offense was able to score in all three periods. Colorado’s one power-play goals contributed to their total of 6 goals. Their offensive performance came with 51 shots on goal and nine giveaways.
Colorado also picked up a win against the puck line, coming into the game favored by -1.5. The game ended with a total of 7 goals, resulting in a push on the over/under.
Pittsburgh Offense Breakdown
On the offensive side, the Penguins are scoring an 2.9 goals per game this season, ranking 26th in the NHL. When it came to shots on target per game, they are 6th in the league. The Penguins went 19-18 in games where they had more shots than their opponents. However, in games with fewer shots on goal, their record was 10-11.
The Penguins come in with an over/under record of 28-36-5. Over the course of the season, they have had 40 games failing to surpass the 6.5 goal over/under line. The average number of goals in their games is at 5.9 per game.
Avalanche Offense Breakdown
Offensively, the Avalanche come into the game at 3.7 goals per contest placing 1st in the NHL. In terms of shots on goal per game, they are in 4th position in the league. Looking at how the Avalanche’s offense is performing during power plays, they are 2nd in power play goals and 10th in shorthanded goals.
For the season, the over/under record of the Avalanche’s stands at 39-28-3. They have had 40 games during the season that exceeded the 6.5 over/under line. On average, their games are averaging 6.7 goals per game.
Pittsburgh Team Defense
Defensively, the Penguins come into the season ranked 16th in goals allowed. Opponents are averaging 30.2 shots per game against Pittsburgh. For the season, they are ranked 1st in shutouts, coming in with 7 shutouts.
Colorado Team Defense
The Avalanche defense is currently 22nd in goals allowed. Opponents are averaging 29.3 shots per game against Colorado. In terms of shutouts, they come into the game ranked 15th with 4 shutouts.
Penguins vs Avalanche Trends
- Across their five previous road games, Pittsburgh has an puck line mark of 0-5. Their straight up record in these matchups was 0-5 while averaging 1 goals per game.
- The Avalanche are 2-1 puck line in their last three home games and 3-0 straight-up.
- The Avalanche have played well in their last three games as the betting underdog, going 2-1 straight up and 2-1 against the spread.
- As the betting favorite, the Penguins have an puck line record of 2-1 in their last three games. In these matchups, their straight up record was 2-1.
Penguins vs Avalanche Prediction
If you’re considering a direct moneyline bet, the Avalanche is the choice to make. However, with a payout of -238, you might want to use this bet as a building block for a parlay.
My recommended pick for the puck line is to take the Penguins to cover. Even if the Avalanche win straight-up, this one should be close throughout and the Penguins should cover the puck line.
With an over/under line sitting at 6.5 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.
All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!
* All odds are 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.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.
Last updated:March 24, 2024 Avalanche, Penguins