The Colorado Avalanche (6-0-0) take on the Pittsburgh Penguins (2-4-0) Thursday at PPG Paints Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+/Hulu). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s'lines around the Avalanche vs. Penguins odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Avs have stormed out of the gates, rolling over every opponent in their path. They took down the New York Islanders, 7-4 Tuesday, and froze over the Carolina Hurricanes 6-4 Saturday. RW Mikko Rantanen leads the team with 5 goals, 7 assists and 12 points.
The Pens have dropped 3 in a row after a 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars Tuesday. They are 2-1 when they score 3 goals but have lost all 3 when they do not. D Erik Karlsson was a big-time offseason acquisition, and he has 1 goal and 3 assists in 6 games. He should eventually turn it on, but there appears to be some growing pains as he adapts to his new team.
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