The Colorado Avalanche continue their push near the top of the Western Conference standings as they open a road trip against the Chicago Blackhawks on March 20. This game presents a contrast in form and firepower, with Colorado still one of the league’s most productive offensive teams while Chicago leans heavily on its young core to stay competitive. For bettors, this contest offers a familiar setup: a heavy favorite facing a rebuilding club that has shown flashes of life in recent outings.
Several other games in NHL tonight, including New Jersey vs Washington and Carolina vs Toronto.
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Colorado Avalanche @ Chicago Blackhawks
- Date & Time: March 20, 12:30 AM ET
- Venue: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
- Broadcast: ESPN+
| Market | Avalanche | Blackhawks |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | -1.5 | +1.5 |
| Moneyline | -240 | +200 |
Key Storylines Avalanche vs Blackhawks
- Colorado enters on a three-game skid, including a shootout loss to Dallas that tightened the division race.
- Chicago just picked up a 2-1 win over Minnesota and has points in five of its last six games.
- Nathan MacKinnon continues to lead Colorado with 93 points, including 40 goals and 53 assists.
- Connor Bedard leads Chicago with 53 points and remains the focal point of the offense.
- Colorado averages 3.81 goals per game compared to Chicago’s 2.64, highlighting a major gap in scoring depth.
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- The Colorado vs Chicago matchup is in favor of the Avs, having won recent meetings, including a 3-1 victory earlier this season.
- The Avalanche generate over 34 shots per game, while Chicago averages fewer than 25.
- Colorado games have gone over 6.5 goals in 26 of 57 contests this season.
- Chicago owns a negative scoring differential and allows over 3 goals per game.
- Colorado has been reliable as a favorite, winning over 80% of games in heavy favorite spots.
Best Player Props to Watch
| Player | Prop |
|---|---|
| Nathan MacKinnon | Over 1.5 points |
| Connor Bedard | Anytime goal scorer |
| Cale Makar | Over 0.5 assists |
Colorado Avalanche vs Chicago Blackhawks Pick & Model Projection
ATS PRO
- Score Projection: Avalanche 4 – Blackhawks 2
- Pick: Avalanche -1.5
- Confidence: 4 out of 5
- Win Probability: Avalanche 74%, Blackhawks 26%
Colorado’s recent losing stretch may concern some bettors, but the underlying numbers remain strong. The Avalanche still control possession, generate high shot volume, and rely on elite production from MacKinnon and Cale Makar. Their power play remains a difference-maker, especially against a Chicago team that struggles defensively and gives up quality chances in extended zone time.
Chicago’s recent win over Minnesota shows effort and improved goaltending, with Spencer Knight delivering steady performances. However, the Blackhawks still face issues generating consistent offense beyond Bedard. Against a team that can dictate pace and pressure, Chicago often finds itself defending for long stretches, which increases the likelihood of breakdowns.
The betting angle leans toward Colorado covering the puck line rather than laying a steep moneyline price. The Avalanche have already demonstrated their ability to limit Chicago’s scoring while creating sustained pressure. Given the gap in offensive output and shot generation, Colorado should control this game from start to finish.
Expect Chicago to compete early, but Colorado’s depth and finishing ability should create separation by the third period. A 4-2 result aligns with both teams’ recent trends and supports a play on the Avalanche to cover.
