Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Sunday 3/24/19
There are five games scheduled in the National Hockey League on Sunday, March 24, starting with the Chicago Blackhawks looking to rebound after losing to the Colorado Avalanche in Denver on Saturday. They look to snap the four-game winning streak of the Avalanche while seeking revenge after a 4-2 loss. In other great action, the Montréal Canadiens take on the Carolina Hurricanes and the Philadelphia Flyers battle the Washington Capitals.
Colorado Avalanche (-103) vs.Chicago Blackhawks(-118)
This Central Division battle pits two teams that are separated by just six points in the standings. The Colorado Avalanche enter this contest in fifth in the division with 80 points (34-29-12), while the Chicago Blackhawks are in seventh with 74 points (32-32-10). Colorado is 17-15-6 on the road this season and they are 6-4-0 in their last 10 games, including winning their last four. Chicago is 16-14-7 at home and are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games. They have lost their last two games.
Goaltending Matchup:
Semyon Varlamov will start for Colorado. Varlamov is 19-18-8 this season with a 2.86 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. He has lost his last two starts and has lost three of his last four, giving up a combined total of 14 goals in that span. The Colorado netminder is 5-4-1 in his last 10 contests with a 2.60 goals-against average.
Corey Crawford will start for Chicago. Crawford is 12-17-2 this season with a 3.03 goals-against average. He has lost his last three decisions (0-2-1) but has only allowed eight goals total in those three games. Crawford is 6-3-1 in his last 10 games with a 2.40 goals-against average.
Hot Trends:
The Colorado Avalanche are…
4-0 in their last four games.
6-1 in their last seven games against Central Division teams.
5-1 in their last six games against teams with a losing record.
The Chicago Blackhawks are…
5-2 in their last seven games.
7-3 in their last 10 games against Central Division teams.
1-4 in their last five games against teams with a losing record.
Stat Pack:
Avalanche:
Goals For: 3.17
Goals Against: 3.01
Power-Play: 21.7%
Penalty Killing: 77.8%
Blackhawks:
Goals For:3.30
Goals Against: 3.64
Power-Play:20.4%
Penalty Killing:73.4%
Prediction
The road team has won four of the last five meetings between these two teams. These two teams played in Denver on Saturday were Colorado won 4-2. Crawford gave up three goals in the contest while Varlamov got to enjoy a day off. He will clearly be the better-rested goalie in a game that means more to Colorado. Those are the kinds of things that surely should make the Avalanche the favorite this game.
These two teams have gone under in five of the last seven meetings between, which is surprising considering that these are two of the top 10 offenses in the NHL. The total is set at 6.5 and we see the contest going over. This should be two teams that are a little tired after a hard-fought battle on Saturday, having to travel to Illinois to then play on Sunday. We take the Colorado Avalanche to win, 4-3.
Two Games to Watch
Philadelphia Flyers (+160) vs.Washington Capitals(-200)
This Metropolitan Division battle pits two teams that are far apart in the standings but could very well meet in the first round of the playoffs. Philadelphia is in sixth in the division with 80 points (36-31-8), while Washington is in first 94 points (43-24-8). Philadelphia is 18-15-4 on the road this season and is 5-5-0 in their last 10 games. Washington is 21-10-6 at home and they are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games.
Why Philadelphia Wins:
Flyers are 5-1 In their last six games on the road.
Flyers are 20-9 in their last 29 games.
Braden Holtby has lost four of his last five starts for Washington.
Why Washington Wins:
Capitals are 9-4 in their last 13 games.
Capitals are 7-1 in their last eight games against teams with a losing record.
Flyers are 1-4 in their last five games against teams with a winning record.
Capitals are 4-1 in the last five meetings between these two teams.
Capitals are 4-1 in the last five meetings in Washington.
Carter Hart gave up four goals in his last start.
Hart gave up four goals in his last start against Washington.
What About the Total?
Go over 6.5, because…
Hart gave up four goals in his last start.
Holtby has a 3.67 goals-against average over his last three starts.
These two teams have gone over in five straight games.
Montréal Canadiens (+128) vs.Carolina Hurricanes (-155)
This should be a great Eastern Conference battle between two teams that are trying to solidify their playoff position. The Montréal Canadiens enter in fourth in the Atlantic Division with 87 points (40-28-7). Montréal is 18-16-3 on the road this season and they are 5-5-0 in their last games, including winning their last three. Carolina is in fourth in the Metropolitan Division with 89 points (41-26-7). Carolina is 21-12-4 at home this season and they are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games.
Why Montréal Wins:
Canadiens are 5-2 in their last seven games against teams from Eastern Conference.
Carey Price has won three straight games, allowing five total goals in that span.
Curtis McElhinney allowed five goals in his last start.
Why Carolina Wins:
Hurricanes are 9-0 in their last nine games when playing on zero day’s rest.
Hurricanes are 15-6 in their last 21 games.
Canadiens are 7-15 in their last 22 games when playing on zero day’s rest.
Canadiens are 0-6 in their last six games on the road when facing a team with a winning record at home.
Hurricanes have won five of the last six meetings between these two teams.
What About the Total?
Go over 5.5, because…
Price gave up four goals in his last start.
McElhinney has a 4.75 goals-against average over his last four starts.
Carolina has gone over in four of their last six games at home.