Monday night action in the NHL has the Colorado Avalanche going up against the Pittsburgh Penguins as both teams look to remain perfect in the early days of the 2016-17 campaign. The Penguins swept the Avalanche in last year’s season series and have actually won four of the last five matchups with Colorado.
- The Penguins are 6-0 in their last 6 games as a moneyline favorite of -162 or less.
- The Avalanche are 1-6 in their last 7 games as underdog.
- The total has gone OVER in 20 of the Avalanche's last 27 games on the road against the Penguins.
After letting five goals by him on just 28 shots in their first game of the season, Colorado’s No. 1 goalie Semyon Varlamov finds himself riding the pine against the Penguins. Calvin Pickard has already been named as the starter tonight and with the way Varly has played the last two seasons, it’s likely Pickard is given a shot at the starting gig. The 24-year-old netminder posted much better numbers than Varlamov in limited starts last year, limiting opposing teams to a 2.56 goals-against average while saving 92.2 percent of opponents’ shots.
The Pens have scored three goals in both their games so far in performances that have seen them pepper opposing goalies with an average of 37.5 shots. Colorado was the worst team in the league at giving up shots last year and after making few improvements to the defensive structure of the team in the offseason, it’s likely they are among the league leaders in shots allowed again this season.
Pittsburgh was the No. 1 team at generating shots on home ice last year so Pickard should expect a massive workload tonight and I’ll be targeting the OVER in this matchup. Games have been going OVER at a staggering rate this season so until that trend changes or totals go up, I will continue to line my pockets on total bets.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to back the visiting Colorado Avalanche before puck drop in this match found them as 155 moneyline underdogs at Sportsbook. They saw an Sportsbook total of 5.5, according to Sportsbook.
Odds Shark computer prediction formulas pick a 4-1.5 win for the Penguins on Monday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Colorado Avalanche vs Pittsburgh Penguins Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Pittsburgh Penguins currently sport a record of 2-0-0. The Colorado Avalanche are 1-0-0. Betting totals have seen the Penguins post a 0-0-2 OVER/UNDER record this season, while the Avalanche have gone 1-0 against the number. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Pittsburgh vs Colorado injuries news.
According to new NHL Power Rankings here at Odds Shark, it's the No. 1-ranked Pittsburgh Penguins and the No. 28-rated Colorado Avalanche in this matchup.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Avalanche were a 6-5 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against the Stars. That made Sportsbooks of bettors who got Colorado at +107 on the moneyline, while the total score (11) was good news for OVER bettors.
In their last action, Pittsburgh was a 3-2 Sportsbook at home against the Ducks. Bettors on Pittsburgh at -140 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (5) sent PUSH bettors home happy as well.
- Colorado is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Colorado's last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 6 games on the road
- Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
- Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 9 games
- Pittsburgh is 1-9 ATS in its last 10 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Colorado at Washington, Tuesday, October 18th
Pittsburgh at Montreal, Tuesday, October 18th
