Avalanche vs. Blackhawks NHL Predictions, Picks and Odds - Feb. 28

Two clubs at opposite ends of the Western Conference standings will face off when the Colorado Avalanche (38-10-9, first place) host the Chicago Blackhawks (22-27-9, 14th) on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET. The Blackhawks are big underdogs on the road, at +275, and the Avalanche are -345.

Colorado's last game was a 5-2 home loss to the Minnesota Wild on Feb. 26. The Avalanche got two points each out of Martin Necas (two goals) and Nathan MacKinnon (two assists).

Chicago lost 4-2 on the road against the Nashville Predators in its most recent game on Feb. 26. Connor Bedard (one goal) and Teuvo Teravainen (one assist) were among the five Blackhawks players who put up one point each in that matchup.

Get ready for this showdown with a look at who we predict will come out on top in Saturday's contest.

Avalanche vs. Blackhawks Predictions & Pick

For insights on the upcoming game between the Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks, computer-derived moneyline, over/under, and score predictions are below, based on data from Dunkel Index.

• Prediction: Blackhawks 4 - Avalanche 3
• Pick OU: Over 6.5 (Dunkel projecting 7.10 goals)
  

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Avalanche vs. Blackhawks Moneylines

Take a look below at the latest moneylines for the Avalanche-Blackhawks matchup.

• Favorite: Avalanche (-345)
• Underdog: Blackhawks (+275)

Avalanche Betting Insights

• The Avalanche are 38-18 when listed as a moneyline favorite this season.
• In games it has played with moneyline odds of -345 or shorter, Colorado has put together a 5-1 record (winning 83.3% of its games).
• The implied moneyline probability for this game says the Avalanche have a 77.5% chance to win.
• Colorado and its opponent have posted more than 6.5 goals in 26 of 57 games this season.

Blackhawks Betting Insights

• This season the Blackhawks have won 22 of the 55 games, or 40.0%, in which they've been an underdog.
• Chicago has played as an underdog of +275 or more one time this season and won that game.
• The sportsbooks' moneyline implies a 26.7% chance of victory for the Blackhawks.
• Chicago has played 23 games this season that ended with over 6.5 goals.

Avalanche Key Stats

• Colorado's 217 total goals (3.8 per game, on 6.7 assists per outing) lead the NHL.
• The Avalanche have allowed 140 total goals (only 2.5 per game), ranking first in league action for the fewest goals against.
• Its goal differential (+77) tops the league.
• The 28 power-play goals the Avalanche have scored this season rank 24th in the NHL (on 185 power-play chances).
• Colorado has the league's 32nd-ranked power-play conversion rate (15.14%).
• The Avalanche have recorded one shorthanded goal this season (30th among NHL teams).
• Colorado's 83.85% penalty-kill success rate is the third-best in the league.
• Colorado has the ninth-best faceoff win rate in the NHL, at 51%.
• The Avalanche connect on 11.2% of their shots (14th in the league).

Blackhawks Key Stats

• Chicago has 153 goals this season (2.6 per game), 26th in the league.
• The Blackhawks' total of 184 goals conceded (3.2 per game) is 22nd in the NHL.
• Its -31 goal differential ranks 28th in the league.
• With 32 power-play goals (on 167 chances), the Blackhawks are 17th in the NHL.
• Chicago has the NHL's 21st-ranked power-play percentage (19.16%).
• In terms of shorthanded goals, the Blackhawks have four.
• At 85.14%, Chicago has the top penalty-kill percentage in the league.
• Chicago is 28th in faceoff win percentage in the NHL (47.2%).
• The Blackhawks' 10.7% shooting percentage is 21st in the league.