The Pepsi Center plays host to an intriguing matchup as the New York Rangers take on the Colorado Avalanche. It’s the final time that the two clubs will meet in the regular season. Altitude Sports & Entertainment will showcase this East-West matchup, and the action gets going at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 11.
New York Rangers at Colorado Avalanche Odds
The Avalanche are 41-28 straight up (SU) and have earned 1.9 units for moneyline bettors this season. That winning percentage, the league’s third-best so far in this young season, is a welcomed improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2018-19 season (38-44). Of the team’s 69 games this season, 32 have gone under the total, while 32 have gone over and just two have pushed. Thus far, the team’s 17-15 SU at home.
Colorado has converted on 18.6 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.5 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Colorado has been penalized 3.6 times per game overall this season, and 3.0 per game over its last five at home. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for just 6.9 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Boasting a .916 save percentage and 27.1 saves per game, Philipp Grubauer (19-17-4) has been the primary option in goal for the Avalanche this year. If the Avs decide to give him the night off, however, it may roll with Pavel Francouz (21-12-12 record, .922 save percentage, 2.43 goals against average).
The Avs will continue seeking leadership from Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. MacKinnon (93 points) is up to 35 goals and 58 assists and has recorded two or more points on 29 different occasions this year. Makar has 12 goals and 35 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 34 games.
New York has earned moneyline bettors 10.9 units this season and is currently 37-32 straight up (SU). Through 69 regular season contests, 34 of its games have gone over the total, while 32 have gone under the total and just two have pushed. As the visiting team, New York is 19-14 SU.
New York has scored on 23.3 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s good enough for seventh-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 22nd overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.0 percent of all penalties.
New York’s players have been called for penalties 4.3 times per game this season, and 3.4 per game over their past five match ups. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays 10.8 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Alexandar Georgiev (3.05 goals against average and .910 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for New York. Georgiev is averaging 28.5 saves per game and owns a 17-16-1 record.
For the visiting Rangers, the offense will be heavily coordinated by Artemi Panarin, who has 62 assists and 32 goals this year.
New York Rangers at Colorado Avalanche Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
For both of these clubs, the over has hit in three of their past five outings.
Power plays and penalty kills may be key in tonight’s game. The Rangers are 13-12 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 18-15 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Avalanche are 22-11 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 32-13 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
New York is 1-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Colorado is 1-1 in shootouts.
Colorado is ranked 10th with 7.9 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower recently, however, as it has managed 6.2 takeaways over its last 10 games and 5.6 takeaways over its last five.
New York skaters have created 8.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, right in line with its season average of 8.1 takeaways per game (ranked ninth in the league).