Colorado Avalanche vs Utah Hockey Club: Game preview, predictions and odds | December 27, 2024

The Colorado Avalanche are on the road to face the Utah Hockey Club on Friday at 9:30 p.m. ET.

Colorado (21-15) is coming off a 5-2 win over Seattle on Sunday while Utah (16-2-6) suffered a 3-2 loss to Dallas on Monday.

Avalanche vs Hockey Club: Head-to-head & key stats

• Colorado is 1-1 all-time against Utah
• The Avalanche are averaging 3.33 goals per game
• The Hockey Club is 5-6-4 at home
• Colorado is allowing 3.33 goals per game
• Utah is averaging 3 goals per game
• The Avs are 12-7 on the road
• The Hockey Club is allowing 2.85 goals per game

Colorado Avalanche vs Utah Hockey Club: Preview

Colorado is on a three-game winning streak. The Avalanche are led by Nathan MacKinnon's 57 points, Mikko Rantanen's 52 points, Cale Makar's 45 points and Casey Mittelstadt's 23 points.

Colorado will start Mackenzie Blackwood who is 3-1 with a 2.03 GAA and a .931 SV% since being traded to the Avalanche. Overall this season, he is 9-10-3 with a 2.83 GAA and a .913 SV%. He is 1-0 with a 3.95 GAA and a .826 SV% in his career against Utah.

Meanwhile, Utah is on a two-game losing streak. The Hockey Club will start Karel Vejmelka who is 8-8-2 with a 2.33 GAA and a .917 SV%. In his career against Colorado, he is 3-4 with a 3.28 GAA and a .894 SV%.

Utah is led by Clayton Keller who has 36 points, Dylan Guenther with 32 points, Logan Cooley with 30 points and Nick Schmaltz with 27 points.

Avalanche vs Hockey Club: Odds & Prediction

Colorado is a -142 favorite while Utah is a +120 underdog. The over/under set at six goals.

The Avalanche have turned things around since acquiring Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood to anchor its goalie position. They have been one of the league's top offenses and should be able to score with ease, while Utah will struggle on offense.

Colorado will get out to an early lead and cruise to a road win.

Prediction: Avalanche 5, Utah 2.

Colorado vs Utah: Betting Tips

Tip 1: Colorado ML (-142)

Tip 2: Colorado -1.5 (+180)

Tip 3: Over 6 goals (-120)

Tip 4: Clayton Keller 3+ shots on goal (-135)