Avalanche vs Golden Knights December 23 Pick: Avs Underdogs in Bid for Fourth Straight Win Over Vegas
- Colorado Avalanche have dominated Vegas in three straight wins ahead of Monday night’s matchup
- Avalanche limp into their date with the Golden Knights with just one win in their past four games
- Golden Knights have made steady gains in the Pacific Division standings during a 9-2-2 run
The Colorado Avalanche will be looking to extend their recent dominance over Vegas when they visit the Golden Knights on Monday night as +105 road underdogs in the Avalanche vs Golden Knight odds at sportsbooks.
Colorado Avalanche vs Vegas Golden Knights Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coloardo Avalanche | +1.5 (-235) | +105 | O 6.0 (-115) |
| Vegas Golden Knights | -1.5 (+195) | -125 | U 6.0 (-105) |
Odds taken on Dec. 23
Avs Ride Slump into Christmas Break
Colorado has taken home the win in three previous meetings with the Golden Knights in 2019, outscoring Vegas by a wide 13-4 overall margin going into Monday’s Avalanche vs Golden Knights matchup at T-Mobile Arena.
The Avalanche’s recent run of success includes a decisive 6-1 victory as +145 underdogs in their most recent trip to Sin City, back on October 25. However, Colorado finds itself mired in a slump as it prepares for its final outing before the Christmas break. The club has fallen to defeat in three of their past four outings, and are coming off a stunning meltdown on Saturday night, surrendering four unanswered goals in the third period on their way to a 5-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks as heavy -220 home chalk.
Avalanche blows another third-period lead in 5-3 loss to Blackhawks – The Denver Posthttps://t.co/Fl4gwhstjL pic.twitter.com/Y3FsLllN9X
— The Boston News (@TheBostonNews_) December 22, 2019
Colorado’s recent struggles have cost them ground in the race for the top of the Central Division standings. The Avalanche now enter the week, trailing first-place St. Louis Blues by five points, but have remained resilient in the NHL futures, maintaining their perch as +150 chalk in the divisional odds, and as +350 favorites to win the division.
Overall, the Avalanche have compiled a 12-6-1 record through 19 contests away from Pepsi Center, and also rank fifth in the NHL with a 2.63 team goals against average on the road.
The Avalanche have also impressed on the road this season. After going 5-1-0 in their past six away games, the club enters Monday’s action sporting the second-best road record in the Western Conference. Overall, the Avalanche have compiled a 12-6-1 record through 19 contests away from Pepsi Center, and also rank fifth in the NHL with a 2.63 team goals-against average on the road.
Vegas on the Rise Following Slow Start
The Golden Knights return home as narrow -125 favorites in Monday’s contest after tallying a 3-1 victory as -145 favorites in Sunday’s visit to San Jose. With the win, Vegas continues its steady climb up the Pacific Division standings after a low start to the season, going 9-2-2 in its past 13 contests to pull even atop the divisional standings with the resurgent Arizona Coyotes.
Vegas has also taken steps to overcome recent inconsistency on home ice. The club has outgunned opponents by a 14-6 margin in three straight victories at T-Mobile Arena. Despite that offensive outburst, it has been the “Under” that has paid out regularly when the Golden Knights play at home, prevailing in seven of their past eight.
Elias Pettersson didn't get all of it, but Marc-Andre Fleury comes up BIG here. #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/e48IQL5OY5
— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) December 16, 2019
The strong play of goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has contributed to the “Under’s” steady performance. Fleury has put together a 6-2-2 record in his past 10 home starts, giving up two or fewer goals in five of those outings, and has also impressed in recent starts against the Avalanche, allowing just a single goal on three occasions during a 2-1-1 run.
However, the performance of the Golden Knights’ power play has emerged as a concern this month. Vegas has failed to find the back of the net with the man advantage in five of its past six contests and will be hard-pressed to reverse that trend against the Avalanche, who have killed 16 of 18 penalties over their past six games.
Picks: Golden Knights -125; Under 6.0 (-105)
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
