Free NHL Picks Today: Vancouver Canucks vs Colorado Avalanche 1/20/23

Free NHL Picks Today: Vancouver Canucks vs Colorado Avalanche 1/20/23
Fri 20th January 2023

The Colorado Avalanche (23-17-3) will be looking to prolong their winning streak when they are on the road to take on the Vancouver Canucks (18-23-3) at Rogers Arena on Friday. Colorado is coming off a 4-1 win over the Flames on Wednesday, their third consecutive win.

The Avalanche committed only two penalties in the game, yet still conceded a power play goal. Mikko Rantanen and Artturi Lehkonen both scored twice for the Avalanche. Alexandar Georgiev saved an impressive 34 of 35 shots (.971%) in the win.

Vancouver fell 5-2 to the Lightning on Wednesday. Quinn Hughes and Andrei Kuzmenko each scored once for the Canucks. Hughes added an assist to share the scoring lead with J.T. Miller, who had two assists. Spencer Martin only had six saves on 10 shots (.600%) after starting in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Canucks have won both games between the teams this season, including a 4-2 victory in their most recent meeting on January 5, their third straight win against Colorado.

Four players had two points for Vancouver. Samuel Girard and Rantanen were on the scoresheet for Colorado. Collin Delia got the win, saving 30 of 32 shots (.937%).

FACING OFF

Colorado is averaging 3.07 goals per game for the season, 20th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Canucks team that is allowing 3.95 goals a game (31st). Meanwhile, Vancouver has found the net 3.36 times a game on average, ninth in the league, and the Avalanche are allowing opponents to score 2.79 goals per game (11th).

The Canucks’ 24.50% power play percentage ranks 10th in the league, while the Avalanche are 11th with a conversion rate of 24.16%. Vancouver has been less impressive at penalty killing, as the home team owns the league’s lowest PK% at 66.93%. Colorado’s 75.18% ranks 22nd in the NHL.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 56 points this season, Rantanen is the top skater for the Avalanche. He is among the league leaders with 31 goals (6th) and has added 25 assists. In the net, Georgiev (16-11-3) is Colorado’s top goaltender. He has a 2.75 GAA and a .914% save percentage.

Elias Pettersson and Bo Horvat lead the Canucks in scoring with 52 and 49 points, respectively. Pettersson has 18 goals and 34 assists in 42 games, while Horvat has 30 goals (4th) and 19 assists (). Martin (11-10-1) has the best goals against average for Vancouver at 3.76. He has a save percentage of .880%.

HOME AND AWAY

Colorado is 12-9-0 away from home this season. Vancouver is 8-11-1 at home this season.

SportsTips’ NHL Pick:

Colorado Avalanche (-135)

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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

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