When Nathan MacKinnon was the first player selected in the 2013 NHL Draft a new level of expectations hit the Colorado Avalanche. MacKinnon and the Avalanche were off and on for his first four seasons but starting in 2017-18 the now 24-year old center took off and became the dominant player that all expected him to be. Most important of all the Avalanche have become a serious Western Conference contender and winner with the NHL odds. After a slow start the Minnesota Wild got off the mat to somehow climb back into the Western Conference playoff race despite having one of the worst back ends in hockey.
Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche
Date and Time: Friday, December 27, 2019, 8 p.m. ET
Location: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
NHL Betting Online Odds at Bookmaker.eu: Check Back Later
Minnesota vs. Colorado TV Coverage: NBCSN
Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche Wagering Odds Analysis
While Minnesota may get some fliers based on their improved recent play the fact remains Colorado will likely garner the majority of action with the NHL odds based on their more complete 200-foot game and strong home ice performance.
Current Form
Colorado has a record of 22-11-3 with 17-17-2 on totals. The Avalanche have overall metrics of second for goals scored, 17th for the power play, ninth for goals against, and 19th for penalty killing. Colorado trails first place St. Louis by five points in the Central Division. Of great concern is the upper body injury to top defenseman Cale Makar, who is out indefinitely.
Minnesota is 17-15-4-1 with just 14 of their games going under the total. Overall rankings have the Wild ranked 15th for goal scoring, 20th for the power play, 28th for goals against, and 24th for the penalty kill.
Key Wild: C Eric Staal (13 G, 17 A, 30 PTS, -6, 4 PPG, 3 PPA, 20.3 SPCT), D Ryan Suter (4 G, 20 A, 24 PTS, -8, 1 PPG, 8 PPA, 8.0 SPCT), RW Mats Zuccarello (9 G, 13 A, 22 PTS, -5, 3 PPG, 3 PPA, 19.1 SPCT), G Alex Stalock (9-6-2, 3.02 GAA, .901 SVPCT, 1 SO), G Devan Dubnyk (5-8-2, 3.42 GAA, .892 SVPCT, 0 SO)
Key Avalanche: C Nathan MacKinnon (21 G, 32 A, 53 PTS, +5, 7 PPG, 11 PPA, 12.7 SPCT), RW Joonas Donskoi (13 G, 15 A, 28 PTS, +1, 4 PPG, 1 PPA, 20.3 SPCT), D Ian Cole (2 G, 13 A, 15 PTS, +7, 0 PPG, 0 PPA), G Philipp Grubauer (10-8-2, 2.86 GAA, .913, 0 SO), G Pavel Francouz (10-2-1, 2.16 GAA, .934 SVPCT, 0 SO)
Minnesota and Colorado against the Spread
The Wild are:
5-4 on the board in their last nine away games
4-1-1 over the total on the road
3-6 in their last nine games at the Pepsi Center
4-1-1 over the total at Colorado
3-12 in their last 15 away games vs. Central Division teams
5-3-1 over the total when at Central Division teams
The Avalanche are:
6-3 with the odds in their last nine home games
3-4-1 under the total at the Pepsi Center
6-3 vs. the line in their last nine games against Minnesota
1-4-2 under the total in their head to head series with the Wild
6-1 in their last seven home games against Central Division teams
3-4-1 under the total at Pepsi Center vs. the Central Division
Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche Free Picks
As was previously noted the Avalanche have had the upper hand in this head to head series and at home against their Central Division rivals. Minnesota’s subpar defense and goaltending does not matchup up well here.
Wild vs. Avalanche NHL Odds Best Bet: Colorado Avalanche
Wild vs. Avalanche NHL Odds Score Prediction: Colorado 4, Minnesota 2
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