Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Colorado Avalanche Picks, Predictions, Odds

Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

The Pittsburgh Penguins (41-18-10) continues its road trip against the Colorado Avalanche (48-14-6) at Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on ABC/ESPN+.

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Score Prediction

Avalanche 3, Penguins 2

Best Bet

Avalanche -141
Under 6.5 (-120)

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS vs. COLORADO AVALANCHE PREDICTIONS

The Penguins kicked off a two-game quick road trip with a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Wild in overtime on Thursday behind backup netminder Casey DeSmith. He turned aside 28 of the 31 shots he faced, while Rickard Rakell continues to pay big dividends with two more goals. Meanwhile, Evgeni Malkin registered the game-winning goal in OT with help from Bryan Rust and John Marino at 3:57.

The Avalanche have picked up victories over the Calgary Flames and San Jose Sharks, and they have lost just once in regulation across the past nine games dating back to March 10. Colorado doubled up San Jose by a 4-2 score with backup Pavel Francouz in between the pipes. He stopped 25 of the 27 shots he faced, outdueling Kaapo Kahkonen. Colorado squeezed off at least 12 shots on goal in each of the three periods, totaling 48 SOG in all.

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PITTSBURGH PENGUINS vs. COLORADO AVALANCHE BETTING ODDS

Penguins +126
Avalanche -141
Penguins +1.5 (-200)
Avalanche -1.5 (+175)
Over 5.5 (-161)
Under 6.5 (-120)

More Odds | Futures Odds

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS vs. COLORADO AVALANCHE BETTING RESOURCES

• Date: Saturday, April 2, 2022
• Matchup: Metropolitan vs. Central
• Venue: Ball Arena
• Location: Denver, Colo.
• TV-Time: ABC/ESPN+, 3:00 p.m. ET

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 41-18-10
• ATS: 34-35
• O/U: 34-32-3

The Penguins haven't won consecutive games since a three-game run from March 17-22, going 2-2-1 across the past five outings. Defensive issues and goaltending has been a problem lately, allowing 17 total goals (3.4 GPG) across the five-game stretch, cashing the OVER in four of those outings.

Pittsburgh has picked up 17 wins in the past 24 games, while going 31-15 in the previous 46 games overall. The Pens have been able to stack victories lately, going 26-9 in the past 35 games following a win, while going 4-1 in the past five against Western Conference opponents. They're also 19-7 in the past 26 games against Central Division opponents.

As far as the totals, while the OVER is 4-1 in the past five games, it's all about the UNDER in most categories. The UNDER is 8-3-1 in the past 12 on the road for Pittsburgh, while going 5-2 in the previous seven against Central Division foes while going 3-1-1 in the past five as a road 'dog.

COLORADO AVALANCHE BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 48-14-6
• ATS: 34-34
• O/U: 35-28-5

The Avalanche has managed two straight wins, and 7-1-1 in the past nine games overall. Against the Eastern Conference, the Avs have dropped two of the past three games. However, in its most recent team against the East, the Avs doubled up the Philadelphia Flyers by a 6-3 count on March 25.

The Avs are a ridiculous 47-9 in the past 56 games at home, while going 43-13 in the past 56 games when favored. They're also 4-1 in the past five against teams with a winning record, while going 6-2 in the past eight against Metropolitan Division foes.

In terms of totals, it's the same trends as the Pens - UNDER. The UNDER is 5-1 in the past six games overall, while going 11-1-1 in the past 13 games against teams with a winning overall mark. The UNDER is 4-1 in the past five at home, 4-1 in the past five as a favorite and 4-0 in the past four following a victory, too.

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS vs. COLORADO AVALANCHE BETTING CONCLUSION

This is a marquee matchup, and you can enjoy it on national television. The Penguins are currently third in the Metropolitan Division, just one point behind the New York Rangers, while sitting six points off the pace behind the Carolina Hurricanes. The Avalanche are the only team in the NHL with triple-digit points, sitting in first in the Central Division with 102 points. They're also a ridiculous 27-4-3 in 34 home games overall. Colorado just doesn't lose at home.

Tristan Jarry will be back in the crease for the Pens, but it won't make a difference. This one should stay UNDER the total, with the Avalanche protecting its home ice like usual. The Avs suffered a 4-1 regulation loss at home against the Vancouver Canucks on March 23, its first since Feb. 15 against the Dallas Stars. Prior to that, Oct. 26 against Vegas was the last regulation loss. Lastly, a loss to St. Louis on Oct. 16 in the second home game of the season. That's it. Those are the regulation losses. It doesn't happen often, and it hasn't happened against an Eastern Conference foe all season. It isn't going to happen here, either.

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS vs. COLORADO AVALANCHE BETTING TRENDS

• Penguins are 17-7 in the past 24 road games.
• Penguins are 19-7 in the past 26 vs. Central Division games.
• Avalanche are 47-9 in the past 56 home games.
• Avalanche is 4-1 in the past five vs. winning teams.
• Avalanche is 43-13 in the past 56 games as a favorite.
• OVER is 4-1 in the past five games overall for the Penguins.
• UNDER is 8-3-1 in the past 12 road games for the Penguins.
• UNDER is 3-1-1 in the past five as a road underdog for the Penguins.
• UNDER is 5-1 in the past six games overall for the Avalanche.
• UNDER is 11-1-1 in the past 13 vs. winning teams for the Avalanche.
• UNDER is 4-1 in the past five as a favorite for the Avalanche.

Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish