The Arizona Coyotes take on the Colorado Avalanche for the third time this season in the first of a two-game series. The Avalanche won the first two meetings by a combined score of 9-4. The Coyotes sit three points back of Colorado in the West Division, but the Avalanche have two games in hand.
- Date/Time: March 8, 9 p.m. ET
- Arena: Ball Arena
- TV Coverage: FSAZ
- Sportsbook Odds: Avalanche -200 | O/U 5.5 (Line History)
- Coyotes vs Avalanche Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The game opened with the Avalanche as favorites at -200 and the line has moved down to between -178 and -195. The total opened at 5.5 and has stayed at that number with the UNDER favored around -115 at most books.
Arizona News & Notes
The Arizona Coyotes have lost three of their last five games, including two to Colorado, but have been chasing their tails for most of the season as they sit just above .500.
The average record is supported by average underlying numbers as the Coyotes rank 23rd in goals for percentage, 23rd in scoring chances for percentage, and 16th in high-danger scoring chance percentage – all at even strength. Only five teams have scored fewer than Arizona’s 39 even-strength goals.
Through 24 games, no player on the Coyotes has scored more than nine goals and only winger Conor Garland has reached 20 points. However, there have been a couple of bright spots, including Garland, on pace to smash his career high in points, and defenseman Jakob Chychrun, who is tied for fourth in points by blue-liners.
In net, Darcy Kuemper has shouldered most of the load, starting 17 games and posting a .915 save percentage and 7-7-2 record. He likely gets the start on Monday.
Colorado News & Notes
It has not quite been the dominant season than many envisioned for the Colorado Avalanche, but the team still ranks second in the West Division with a .636 points percentage.
Led by a pair of stars, the Avalanche have 10 players who have reached double-digit point totals this season, including Mikko Rantanen’s 12 goals and 24 points in 22 games and Nathan MacKinnon’s 22 points in 19 games. Defenseman Samuel Girard is also tied for fourth in the league in scoring by rearguards. The underlying numbers are also strong as the Avs rank second in scoring chances for percentage and 10th in high-danger scoring chance percentage.
Unfortunately for the Avs, the injury bug seems to have bitten again. MacKinnon has missed two straight games with a head injury and is questionable for Monday while key defensemen Bowen Byram and Cale Makar are listed as questionable as well. Makar has missed five straight games with an upper-body injury.
Betting Pick: Coyotes +168
Bettors will need to monitor the Avalanche injury situation closely because paying -188 to take the Avs, who might be missing three of their best players, is a bit rich. The Avalanche are certainly the better team overall, but MacKinnon, Byram and Makar are all major missing parts.
Want more Expert Betting Picks?
Check out the best sports handicapping services on the market today!
Buy Sports Picks Now- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Arizona’s last 8 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Colorado’s last 12 games.
- Arizona is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games against Colorado.
