Free NHL Picks Today: Arizona Coyotes vs Colorado Avalanche 12/27/22

The Colorado Avalanche (-265) will be looking to build on their winning run when they head to take on the Arizona Coyotes (+215) at Mullett Arena on Tuesday. The total is 6 (O: -120, U: +100)Colorado (19-11-2) is coming off a 3-2 overtime win over the Predators on Friday, their fourth win in a row.

The Avalanche conceded a power play goal while failing to take advantage of their own power play opportunities. Mikko Rantanen, Samuel Girard, and J.T. Compher each scored once for the Avalanche. Rantanen added an assist to lead the team in scoring.

Alexandar Georgiev saved an impressive 37 of 39 shots (.948%) in the win. Arizona (11-16-5) beat the Kings 2-1 (SO) on Friday. Nick Schmaltz netted the lone goal in regulation for the Coyotes. Karel Vejmelka was impressive in the win, making 26 saves (.962%).

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams split their four meetings last season, the last of which was a 2-1 victory for the Coyotes in March. Loui Eriksson and Schmaltz were on the scoresheet for Arizona. Devon Toews scored Colorado’s only goal. Vejmelka got the win, saving 42 of 43 shots (.976%).

FACING OFF

Colorado is averaging 2.91 goals per game for the season, 25th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Coyotes team that is allowing 3.59 goals a game (27th). Meanwhile, Arizona has found the net 2.69 times a game on average, 27th in the league, and the Avalanche are holding opponents to 2.59 goals per game (5th).

Arizona averages fewer shots a game (24.4) than any other team in the league, though the team’s 11.2% shooting percentage ranks eighth. Colorado has been up to the task of stopping shots, ranking No. 4 with a team save percentage of .921%.

Look for several power play opportunities for the Avalanche, as the Coyotes have been penalized 5.09 times a game, most in the NHL, for an average of 11.66 minutes (fifth-highest). The visitors are averaging 3.69 penalties (24th) and 8.16 penalty minutes a game (27th).

The Avalanche’s 26.61% power play percentage ranks sixth in the league, while the Coyotes are 24th with a conversion rate of 18.92%. In terms of defending power plays, Colorado has the league’s 21st-ranked PK% at 76.24%, while Arizona is 22nd at 75.76%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 42 points this season, 10th-most in the NHL, Rantanen is the top skater for the Avalanche. He is among the league leaders with 23 goals (6th) and has added 19 assists. In the net, Georgiev (15-6-2) is Colorado’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.36 GAA and a .925% save percentage.

Clayton Keller leads the Coyotes in scoring with 31 points. He has 12 goals and 19 assists. Vejmelka (10-9-4) has the best goals against average for Arizona at 3.09. He has a save percentage of .910%.