Colorado Avalanche at Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview/Prop Picks

The Colorado Avalanche and Pittsburgh Penguins are set for a rematch on Tuesday night after just playing over the weekend. Colorado was able to survive and pick up a 3-2 win at home in that game, and the Penguins are looking for revenge at home.

The Avalanche look to be ready to go on a deep postseason run in 2022, but they haven’t let up yet in the regular season. Colorado has a massive lead in the NL Central, and they lead the league with 104 points.

Pittsburgh is going to be in the playoff field as well, barring a late-season collapse. The Penguins come into Tuesday night with 92 points on the year, and that currently has them in third place in the Metropolitan Division. 

The Pittsburgh Penguins are the moneyline betting favorites at -123 over the Colorado Avalanche. 

Colorado Cruising on Offense

The Colorado Avalanche continue to be one of the best offensive teams in the league, even though they have slowed up a bit in that area. Colorado is still scoring 3.75 goals per game, and they convert on the power play over 25 percent of the time.

Nazem Kadri leads the team with 57 assists and 83 points on the year, but an injury will keep him out of this matchup. Colorado has plenty of other players that can step up, including Mikko Rantanen, who leads the team with 35 goals.

Goaltender Darcy Kuemper has been terrific for this team as well, going 32-9-3 and allowing just 2.37 goals per game. There are simply no glaring weaknesses with this team. 

Penguins Looking For Consistency

Pittsburgh has the ability to be a great offensive and defensive team, but they just haven’t put it all together. The Penguins are scoring 3.3 goals per game and giving up just 2.6 per night, and that’s usually good enough to win.

Goaltender Tristan Jarry will get the start on Tuesday night, and he has gone 33-15-6 this season. Pittsburgh does kill off 85 percent of their penalties, and that unit will have to play well on Tuesday night. 

On the offensive end, Sidney Crosby just continues to do all he can for this Pittsburgh team. Crosby leads the way with 72 points on the year, and Jake Guentzel has scored 32 goals to lead the way. 

Avalanche Continue to Roll

Don’t be surprised if it takes at least four goals to win this game on Tuesday night, as both teams can really score. Colorado is clearly the better offensive team, but the Penguins have been terrific on that end of the ice as well.

This game might come down to special teams, and that Colorado power play is simply too difficult to deal with. The Penguins did well to slow down the Avalanche over the weekend, but things are going to play out differently in this game. 

It hasn’t mattered where the Avalanche have played this season as they just continue to win games. Bet the Colorado Avalanche moneyline as they head into Pittsburgh and upset the Penguins.

Prop Picks

Pittsburgh (+140) UNDER 2.5 Goals

Colorado is allowing 2.7 goals per game on defense, which ranks No. 7 in the league. Scores have gone UNDER in four of the Avalanche’s last five road games.

With Dunkel predicting a Colorado victory by the score of 3-2, take the Penguins (+140) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 2.5 goals against the Avalanche.

Jeff Carter (-135) UNDER 0.5 Points

Carter has 37 points on the season, which ranks No. 6 on the Penguins. The Pittsburgh center has been much more productive in Penguins’ victories with 27 points in 37 games and a +/- of 17. In losses, he has just 10 points in 27 games with a +/- of -18.

With Dunkel predicting Colorado victory while holding the Penguins UNDER their team total, take Carter (-135) to finish UNDER his total of 0.5 points against the Avalanche.

Keep up with your latest NHL news coverage and betting pick previews at The Dunkel Index.