Colorado Avalanche vs Chicago Blackhawks: Game preview, predictions and odds | January 8, 2025

The Colorado Avalanche is on the road to play the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday. The puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Colorado (25-15-1) is coming off a 3-1 win over Florida, while Chicago (13-25-2) is coming off a 6-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Sunday.

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Avalanche vs Blackhawks: Head-to-head & key stats

• Colorado is 80-58-9-8 all-time against Chicago
• The Avalanche are averaging 3.39 goals per game
• The Blackhawks are 8-11 at home
• Colorado is allowing 3.17 goals per game
• Chicago is averaging 2.5 goals per game
• The Avalanche are 13-7 on the road
• The Blackhawks are allowing 3.4 goals per game

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Colorado Avalanche vs Chicago Blackhawks: Preview

Colorado is coming off a 3-1 win over Florida and is 3-1 in its last four games. The Avalanche are led by Nathan Mackinnon who has 66 points, Mikko Rantanen has 58 points, Cale Makar has 49 points, and Casey Mittelstadt has 26 points.

The Avalanche will start Mackenzie Blackwood, who's 7-1-1 with a 1.69 GAA and a .938 SV% since being acquired by Colorado. In his career in Chicago, he's 4-0-2 with a 2.11 GAA and a .921 SV%.

Chicago, meanwhile, is 1-3 in its last four as the Blackhawks were blown out by the Rangers. Chicago will start Arvid Soderblom, who's 6-10-1 with a 2.92 GAA and a .905 SV%. Soderblom has never played Colorado.

The Blackhawks are led by Connor Bedard who has 35 points, Teuvo Teravainen has 25 points, Ryan Donato 22 points, Tyler Bertuzzi has 21 points, and Taylor Hall has 21 points.

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Avalanche vs Blackhawks: Odds & Prediction

Colorado is a -265 favorite while Chicago is a +215 underdog with the over/under set at 6.5 goals.

The Blackhawks are one of the worst teams in the NHL and will struggle here against Colorado. The Avalanche have one of the best offenses in the NHL and will be able to score on the Blackhawks.

Chicago gives up too many shots per game and too many high-danger chances. The Avalanche will cruise to a lopsided win here.

Prediction: Colorado 5, Chicago 2

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Avalanche vs Blackhawks: Betting Tips

Tip 1: Colorado -1.5 (-102)

Tip 2: Over 6.5 goals (+100)

Tip 3: Jonathan Drouin 2+ shots on goal (-150)

Tip 4: Over 1.5 goals first period (-145)