Free NHL Picks Today: Colorado Avalanche vs Chicago Blackhawks 10/12/22

The defending champion Colorado Avalanche begin their Stanley Cup defense against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday at Ball Arena. The Avalanche won all four games between the teams last season, including a 6-4 victory in their final meeting in January, their fourth straight win against Chicago. Gabriel Landeskog (2G 1A) and Nazem Kadri (1G 2A) each had three points to lead Colorado. Pavel Francouz got the win, saving 39 of 43 shots (.907%).

FACING OFF

Chicago averaged just 2.60 goals per game last season, 28th in the NHL, and they are taking on an Avalanche team that allowed 2.83 goals a game (9th). Meanwhile, Colorado found the net 3.76 times a game on average, fourth in the league, and the Blackhawks allowed opponents to score 3.52 goals per game (26th).The Blackhawks converted 19.18% of their power play opportunities (21st), while Colorado’s 79.66% penalty kill percentage ranked 15th. The Avalanche scored on 24.01% of their power play chances (7th). Chicago’s PK% of 76.23 ranked No. 24.

LAST SEASON’S TOP PERFORMERS:

With 92 points last season, Patrick Kane was the top skater for the Blackhawks. He was among the league leaders with 66 assists (7th) and added 26 goals of his own. Marc-Andre Fleury, now with the Wild, was Chicago’s top goaltender by goals against average. He was 28-23-5 with a 2.90 GAA and a .908% save percentage. Mikko Rantanen led the Avalanche in scoring a season ago with 92 points. He played 75 games, scoring 36 goals and providing 56 assists. Darcy Kuemper, now with the Capitals, went 37-12-4 in the net for Colorado. He had a goals against average of 2.54 and a save percentage of .921%, fifth-best in the league.