Arizona Coyotes vs Colorado Avalanche Picks and Predictions December 27th 2024

Avalanche Hitting Stride Ahead of Clash with Utah Hockey Club

The Colorado Avalanche, winners of three straight games, head to Salt Lake City on Friday to face the Utah Hockey Club, a team looking to bounce back after a hard-fought loss. Both teams are finding their rhythm, making this matchup an intriguing test for two squads on different trajectories.

Colorado Avalanche: Rested and Ready

The Avalanche (18-10-4) are coming off a four-day holiday break, their first extended rest of the season. That recovery time couldn’t have come at a better moment as the team finds its groove following a rocky start.

Key Momentum Builders:

• Recent Form: Colorado has won seven of its last nine games, climbing to third in the Central Division standings.
• Offensive Firepower:
  • Joel Kiviranta delivered a career-first hat trick in the Avalanche’s last game, a 5-2 win over the Seattle Kraken.
  • Valeri Nichushkin extended his goal streak to four games.
  • Mikko Rantanen continues his stellar play with a nine-game point streak.
  • Cale Makar recorded three points in the Seattle game, showcasing why he’s one of the league’s premier defensemen.
• Improved Power Play: The Avalanche have scored four power-play goals in their last three outings, signaling better puck movement and execution.

Coach Jared Bednar:
“We’re still an evolving team. I don’t want to say everything’s fixed. It’s not. We have more to do.”

With recent acquisitions in goal—Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood—Colorado’s goaltending situation has stabilized, giving the team confidence in tight contests.

Utah Hockey Club: Fighting for Playoff Position

Utah (16-12-6) has also shown promise, riding a recent eight-game points streak (6-0-2) before a narrow 3-2 loss to the Dallas Stars on Monday. That game highlighted Utah’s resilience, as they mounted a strong third-period push despite falling short.

Players to Watch:

• Clayton Keller: Keller is Utah’s offensive engine, with a five-game point streak (four goals, six assists). His creativity and consistency have kept the team competitive.
• Barrett Hayton: Hayton has scored in back-to-back games, giving Utah secondary scoring options.
• Logan Cooley: While his five-game point streak was snapped against Dallas, Cooley remains a dangerous presence in the lineup.

Coach Andre Tourigny’s Perspective:

Tourigny praised his team’s effort after the Dallas game, noting the club’s strong pushback in the third period despite the loss. However, he emphasized the need for improved game management to secure wins in close contests.

Forward Nick Bjugstad:
“We’ve got to learn, we’ve got to move on. I think this team has a lot of upside, so we want to fulfill that.”

Utah’s recent surge has them just two points outside of a playoff spot, a remarkable turnaround for a franchise that has struggled in recent years.

Key Matchups

• Avalanche’s Offense vs. Utah’s Defense: Colorado’s explosive forwards, led by Rantanen and Nichushkin, will test Utah’s defensive resolve.
• Goaltending Duel: With both teams relying on recent goaltender acquisitions and rotations, the netminders could play a pivotal role.
• Special Teams Battle: Both teams have seen improvements on the power play, setting the stage for a game that could hinge on discipline and execution.

What’s at Stake?

• For Colorado: A win solidifies their position in the Central Division and builds further momentum as they aim for a deep playoff run.
• For Utah: The team looks to rebound from their Dallas loss and continue their playoff push, keeping pace in a tight race for a wildcard spot.

Check out the latest insights in NHL Conference Odds & Predictions!

Prediction

The Avalanche’s rested lineup and surging form make them the favorites, but Utah’s home crowd and determination to stay in the playoff hunt could keep this one close.

Prediction: Avalanche 4, Utah 2