At the onset of the season, the Avalanche were the top NHL betting favorite to win the Stanley Cup. Colorado hasn’t played like a champion in the early going. Still, in the long run, the Avalanche is considered to be the team to beat. Goaltending remains the most significant concern regarding Colorado’s prospects. Minnesota is playing better than expected. Goal scoring sustainability is the worry about the Wild. Dean Evason did well enough as interim coach to get the full-time job. However, the coaching change can mask the lack of Minnesota depth.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild NHL Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Sunday, January 31, 2021, 8 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Excel Energy Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota |
| Avalanche at Wild TV Coverage: | NHL Network |
| Avalanche at Wild Betting Online Odds at SBG: | Click Here |
Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild SBG Odds Overview
Naturally, the Avalanche will get plenty of online wagering handle as the Stanley Cup favorite. Gamblers have been lukewarm about Minnesota for several years. As the old Wendy’s commercial said, “Where’s the Beef?” Mediocrity is a Wild tradition.
Colorado Avalanche Team Overview
Thus far, Colorado is 4-3 straight up and 3-4 under the total. The third place in the West Division is the Av’s current standing. Colorado ranks 6th for goal scoring and 11th for goals against. Notwithstanding the sluggish start is a good special team play. Colorado ranks 7th for the power play and 6th for penalty killing.
Right-wing Mikko Rantanen leads the AVs with six goals, two assists, and a +3. And then center Nathan MacKinnon has two goals, seven assists, and a +4. Defenseman Cole Makar has eight assists with a +4. So far, goaltender Philipp Grubauer has a .918 save percentage and 2.17 goals-against average.
Above all, the Avalanche are still considered the team to beat. Colorado has plenty of undeniable upsides.
Minnesota Wild Team Overview
So too is Minnesota 4-3 and 3-4 under the total. NHL metrics show the Wild ranked 15th for goal scoring and 9th for goals against. Minnesota ranks 28th for the power play, but 3rd for penalty killing. Concurrently the Wild is tied with the Avalanche in the West Division.
Goaltenders Cam Talbot and Kaapo Kahkonen are splitting time. Both own save percentages above .918. Center Joel Eriksson leads with four goals, two assists, and a +6.
To be exact last year’s coaching change can’t mask the Wild’s lack of roster problems. Scoring and depth are not at a Stanley Cup level.
Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild Betting Trends
- Colorado is 12-4 in their last 16 road games
- The AVs have gone under the total in 12 of their last 15 away games
- Minnesota has lost five of their last eight home games
- The Wild has gone under the total in three of their last five home games
Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild Head-to-Head vs. The Spread
- Colorado has won seven of their last 11 games with Minnesota
- Just two of the last nine games in this series went over the total
- The Avalanche have won three of their last five games at Minnesota
- The last four meetings between these teams at Minnesota went under the total
Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild at SBG Free Picks
As mentioned earlier, the Wild has had the NHL betting edge in this series. Colorado will get a better price on the road.
Avalanche at Wild SBG Best Bet: Colorado Avalanche.