Although it is true that Pittsburgh is a perennial NHL Betting online favorite, they are falling far short this season. Weak defense and goaltending are a big problem taking the Penguins down from their normally lofty perch. By contrast Colorado made huge strides last year as the NHL’s top surprise. In the same way the Avalanche still face doubts and skepticism. A clear difference between Colorado and Pittsburgh is on the back end. While both teams can score the Avalanche play a more complete game. As a result, they have emerged as a top threat in the West.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Colorado Avalanche
Date and Time: Wednesday, November 28, 2018, 9:30 p.m. ET
Location: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
NHL Betting Online Odds at SBG: Click Here!
Penguins vs. Avalanche TV Coverage: NBCSN
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh has been mired in a horrific NHL Betting online slump recently. To begin with the Penguins have lost seven of their last ten games on the season. And it has been poor blue line play with weak netminding that has been the culprit. Overall Pittsburgh is 9-8-3-2 with just eight of their games going over the total. Extending their problems is an away mark of 4-3-1-2. Only four of the Pens 10 away games have gone over the total. Consistent with their reputation does Pittsburgh rank sixth in the NHL for scoring.
Important Names on the Ice
Of great concern to Penguins fans is their rank of 21st for goals against. Not to mention 25th for shots allowed. Two-time Stanley Cup winning goaltender Matt Murray is out indefinitely with a lower body issue. But Murray was terrible before he went down. Casey DeSmith has a solid .927 save percentage. Of great concern is all of the rubber he faces due to lack of defensive support.
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado has been in full control of the cashier’s cage as of late. To illuminate the Avalanche have paid in seven of their last eight games. It follows that Colorado has a sportsbook record of 13-6-3-1. Additionally, the Avs are 5-2-2 at home with just three of those nine games at Pepsi Center going over the total. Compared to Pittsburgh is a solid defensive rank of 10th in the NHL. Most important of all the Avalanche rank tops in the NHL for goal scoring. In the same way Colorado ranks second in the NHL for power play efficiency.
Team vs. Team
Pittsburgh has lost five consecutive away games with just one of those matchups clearing the total. Balanced against that is Colorado’s methodical improvement on home ice. To show the Avalanche has paid in eight of their last 14 matchups at Denver. Five of their last seven game at Pepsi Center have gone under the total.
Matchup to Watch
Colorado goaltender Semyon Varlamov is the NHL Betting online matchup difference here. For instance, Varlamov has a .926 save percentage and 2.34 goals against average. Most of all he has given the Avalanche stability at that position. By contrast the Penguins have been in disarray defensively. Equally important is Colorado center Nathan MacKinnon’s 15 goals. MacKinnon if flourishing as a dominant scorer.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Colorado Avalanche NHL Betting Online Picks
Colorado is in the better form and is the more complete team.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Colorado Avalanche NHL Betting Online Pick: Colorado Avalanche
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Colorado Avalanche NHL Betting Online Series Prediction: Avalanche 4, Penguins 2
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