NHL: Colorado Avalanche vs Boston Bruins Prediction and Odds || January 18, 2024

A battle of the heavy weights as the Colorado Avalanche (29-13-3) faces the Boston Bruins (26-8-9) tonight. Both teams are off to great starts and stand at the top of the league. The 2 teams played 10 days ago and the Avs won 4-3.

The Avalanche are 2nd in the Central Division and are coming in off a 7-4 win vs the Senators. They're 8-2-0 in their last 10 games and are ok on the road, with an above .500 record of 11-8-3.

Colorado plays good 2-way hockey. The Avs rank 2nd in the league for goals scored per game with 3.73. They average 32.2 shots on goal per game which ranks 9th in the league.

On defense, they rank 17th for goals allowed, but 6th for shots on goal allowed per game. They also have one of the best goalies in the league in Alexander Georgiev who leads the league with 24 wins.

Nathan Mackinnon is having an MVP season so far at the halfway point of the season. He has 23 goals and 49 assists which is insane. This puts him on pace for almost 150 points this season.

Mackinnon has his normal cast of characters this year in Rantanen, Cale Makar and Valeri Nichushkin. Nichushkin unfortunately just took a leave of absence. We wish him all the best and look forward to his return.

Georgiev has really been a huge part of this team. To go along with his 24 wins, he has a 2.92 GAA and a .895 save percentage. He got the win vs the Bruins in the last game, so he'll look to get another one.

Boston is 1st in the Atlantic Division and have been a force to be reckoned with. Currently 6-1-3 in their last 10 game and on a 2-game winning streak. So far this season, the Bruins are 13-3-3 at home and I think that plays into their favor in this game.

Just like the Avs, Boston plays an all-around game as well. They rank in the top of the league for power play and shoot percentages specifically.

On defense, their weakness is they allow a lot of shots on goal. The Bruins rank 24th in the league for shots on goal allowed and have a problem staying out of the box like the Avs.

David Pastrnak has been doing David Pastrnak things as expected. He has 26 goals and 35 assists so far, leading the team in both categories. Brad Marchand is living up to that new C on his sweater with 41 points.

This team has one of the, if not the, best goalie tandem in the league. Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark have both great this year with 13 wins each and sub 3.00 GAA's. Ullmark is expected to be in net for tonight's game.

Let's check out the odds and talk about the outcome of this game!

Betting Odds

Puck Line

• Colorado Avalanche +1.5 (-205)
• Boston Bruins -1.5 (+168)

Moneyline

• Colorado Avalanche +122
• Boston Bruins -146

Totals

• Over 6.5 (+100)
• Under 6.5 (-122)

Odds courtesy of MyBookie

Game Information

• Venue: TD Garden, Boston, MA
• Date: Thursday, January 18, 2024
• Puck Drop: 7pm EST
• TV: NESN, ALT

Colorado Avalanche vs Boston Bruins Prediction and Picks

Prediction and Pick: Game Total Under 6.5 (-122)

So even though the last game went over, I think we see a different game this time. Both teams now have tape to watch to make adjustments on their weak points.

We have 2 more than solid goaltenders in net and if Swayman starts over Ullmark, it doesn't make a difference. Both goalies have a sub 3 GAA and should both be on their toes coming off rest.

The offenses will be firing, but they should be hitting walls. I think both teams do score, but this should be a close, gritty game from start to finish. I do, unofficially, lean with the Bruins at home.

We're getting nice value for the under 6.5 at -122. Give me the under in this tight game that may end 2-1.

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