The Colorado Avalanche (5-4-1) take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (3-8-0), who will be looking to snap their losing streak, at Nokia Arena in Tampere on Saturday. The teams are playing their second successive game against each other. Colorado beat the Blue Jackets 6-3 yesterday.
Mikko Rantanen led the Avalanche with a hat trick. Patrik Laine, Jakub Voracek, and Sean Kuraly each scored once for the Blue Jackets. Laine added an assist to lead the team in scoring. Alexandar Georgiev had 36 saves in the win.
FACING OFF
Colorado is averaging 3.40 goals per game so far this season, 11th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blue Jackets team that is allowing 4.55 goals a game (31st). Meanwhile, Columbus has found the net 2.64 times a game on average, 29th in the league, and the Avalanche are allowing opponents to score 3.00 goals per game (13th).
The Avalanche’s 39.39% power play percentage is the best in the league, while the Blue Jackets rank 32nd with a conversion rate of just 3.33%. While strong on the power play, Colorado has been less impressive at penalty killing, as the team possesses the league’s fifth-lowest PK% at 71.05%. Columbus’ 78.38% ranks 18th in the NHL.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Nathan MacKinnon (16 points), Rantanen (15), and Valeri Nichushkin (12) have been the top skaters this season for the Avalanche. Nichushkin has been another offensive leader for Colorado, scoring seven (9th) and assisting five. In the net, Pavel Francouz (0-3-0) is Colorado’s top goaltender.
He has a 3.07 GAA and a .898% save percentage.Johnny Gaudreau leads the Blue Jackets in scoring with nine points. He has five goals and four assists. Daniil Tarasov (1-3-0) is the top goalie for Columbus with a goals against average of 3.57. He has a save percentage of .893%.
HOME AND AWAY
Colorado is 3-3-0 away from Ball Arena this season. Columbus is 2-4-0 as the home team this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Colorado Avalanche (-250)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
