NHL Game Of the Week Analysis: Avalanche vs Betting Preview
The Avalanche Put 36-16 Run on The Line Against Eastern Conference
The NHL schedule picks up with a rematch of the 2022 Stanley Cup. NHL team stats show both teams to be unreliable wagers this season with the Lightning costing bettors 24 units, while the Avalanche have been even worse at -292 units.
With the moneyline presenting an unattractive let’s take a deeper look at the total as we start our Colorado Avalanche vs Tampa Bay Lightning betting preview.
Colorado Avalanche vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Date & Time:
Points: CA (27-18-4, 58 points) / TBL (32-16-2, 66 points)
Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa Bay, Florida
Streaming: ESPN
Avalanche Take Another Hit to Postseason Position
Most will be happy, because they were lucky, that the Colorado Avalanche were able to squeeze a point out of their match-up with the Pittsburgh Penguins to start the second half of the NHL season matchups. With the loss, Colorado was pushed into the red on the season for bettors.
There are 33 games left on the schedule but to watch the Avs is to know that this is not the team that hoisted the Cup last season. As of now, Jared Bednar’s team is clinging to a wild-card spot while battling the Calgary Flames who have the same 58 points and the same amount of regulation wins (23).
The Penguins almost put a major dent in Colorado’s hopes after what the league classifies as a collision between the Penguins’ Jeff Carter and Cal Makar. To lose Makar for any length of time would have been a potential death knell for the Avalanche who have been battling injuries all season. Be sure to check the rest of the NHL injury report for more.
Most would look at the hit and know that there was some intent on the part of Carter to hit the defensemen up high. For bettors, it’s important to note that this is the time of the week when Colorado has not been a safe wager. When the defending champions play on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday they’re just 9-13 (-681 units) this season.
By comparison, the Avs are 11-3 (+510 units) when playing Saturday or Sunday hockey games. You can guess why that is, but to bring the difficulty level up on a side wager, you would think that Colorado would be on top of their game coming off a loss even though the numbers would indicate that the champions would be a go-against.
Lightning Lurking Behind Division Leaders
We are about three weeks away from the NHL trade deadline but expect teams like the Lightning to dive in as soon as possible in an effort to at least overcome the Toronto Maple Leafs for second place in the Atlantic Division.
The Lightning is 17 points behind the Boston Bruins, but like in most sports to be the man, you have to beat the man. Despite all their success, the Lightning has been a team where you have to pick your spots when putting your cash behind them.
Since 2021, bettors would have an incredible 119-69 (.643) record, but that still wouldn’t be good enough to turn a profit (-462 units). In that span, in games against teams .500 or better, Tampa is 43-41, handing bettors an 1130 unit loss.
That leaves us with an entertaining game, Thursday, but no clear-cut side to put our money behind.
Let’s conclude our Avalanche vs Lightning betting preview by exploring a sharper betting option.
Betting the Total to Put Bettors in Winners’ Circle.
You’ll have to dig a little bit because the market has pushed this number up to 6.5 in some spots, but still, plenty of sixes to be had, but make sure to bet this as quickly as possible. Colorado has trended under on the road this season, but we think the pace will be fast between two teams who are in the upper half of the league in shots on goal on a normal night.
Despite recent form, Tampa has produced a 23-19 record for over bettors and bookmakers have taken notice with two games in their last 10 with games featuring a total of seven.
Colorado hasn’t revealed its true identity when it comes to totals but they still feature one of the best power play units in the league (24.5%) and that’s a major piece when betting totals.
Factor in the unknown health of Makar, and we feel there will be 70-plus shots on net. That gives us the confidence to over the total.
That does it for our Avalanche vs. Lightning betting preview, all the best this week.
| Last Updated: 11/9/2022 | Teams |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Lightning -125, Avalanche +105 |
| Puck Line | 6.5 -110 |
| Total | Lightning -1.5 (+190), Avalanche +1.5 (-225) |
