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Avalanche vs. Blackhawks Prediction, Prop Picks & Odds for Jan. 8

Gary Pearson

Last Updated: January 8, 2025 7:20 AM EST • 2 min 54 sec read.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar passes the puck as we make our best Avalanche vs. Blackhawks prediction.
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar passes the puck against the Florida Panthers at Ball Arena. Photo by Ron Chenoy / Imagn Images.

I think it's fairly safe to say Chicago Blackhawks interim head coach Anders Sorensen won't be getting the permanent job anytime soon. His Blackhawks have lost six of the last seven, four of which by four goals. 

That's even uglier than the ugliest ugly duckling. 

It won't get any easier on Wednesday when they get the pleasure of hosting the Colorado Avalanche (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT), who are among the Stanley Cup odds front-runners and soar into Chicago as one of the league's hottest teams. 

My Avalanche vs. Blackhawks prediction expects much of the same at United Center in Chicago, as I expect the Avs to extend their road winning streak to four games. 

Today's Avalanche vs. Blackhawks prediction

Odds via our best NHL betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale.

My best pick: Avalanche -1.5 ⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: | Implied probability: 52.38%

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Sometimes wagers pick themselves. Not literally, but you get the idea. However, If you're getting a too-good-to-be-true vibe, you're not alone.

Wednesday's game in Chicago represents one of the more palpable mismatches on paper, particularly when adding in current form. 

Colorado has built an avalanche of momentum since Dec. 7, winning 11 of 14 contests. In that span, they are tied for the best points percentage (.821), have the best road points percentage (.857) and are 9-3-0 since saying good riddance to Alexandar Georgiev.

Winners of seven of the last eight in enemy rinks, Colorado has finally met its pre-season expectations. Nathan MacKinnon, among the Hart Trophy odds favorites, leads the league in points (66) and spearheads an Avalanche offense that has scored the second-most goals per game since Dec. 7 (3.64). 

To make matters more ominous for Chicago, the Avs are now defending at an elite level, conceding the fewest goals against (2) in the same timeframe. 

Recent woeful run is taking a toll on Blackhawks 

The Blackhawks have the unenviable tag of the NHL's worst team, and it's not even close. Behind the San Jose Sharks by four points in the dark, dank basement, the Blackhawks must be entirely out of confidence. It's not as if they've been competitive, either, losing 13 games by three or more goals. 

Since Dec. 21, they've allowed 33 goals and scored 14 in the six defeats, allowing 5.5 goals per game. You won't be surprised to hear that's a league-worst. 

There's always a chance for an anomaly, and Chicago might surprise me by keeping things close. But the stats and eye test suggest that won't be the case. A winning $10 bet will profit $9.09. 

Avalanche vs. Blackhawks player prop pick

NHL picks made Wednesday; odds subject to change.

Cale Makar prop pick: Over 3.5 shots ⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: +115 via Betway | Implied probability: 46.5%

It's hard finding an Avalanche prop to back these days as the price is often too high (especially in MacKinnon's case), or there isn't enough evidence to support the pick.  

Makar to fire at least four shots on goal is a good one, though. It's only a three-star play, as he's hit the Over in just two of the last four games. However, Makar has been firing more rubber on the opposing netminders in enemy rinks recently, providing enough confidence to back him. 

Makar has at least four shots in five of the last six road games. I'll take my chances on the Norris Trophy odds favorite getting at least four shots against a Blackhawks teams allowing the second-most shots per game on home ice (32.7) in the last seven.  

Avalanche vs. Blackhawks live odds & info

  • When: Wednesday, Jan. 8
  • Puck drop: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Where: United Center (Chicago)
  • How to watch: TNT
  • Favorite: Avalanche (-260 via Betway)

Avalanche vs. Blackhawks injuries

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Written By:
Gary Pearson
Gary Pearson has written professionally since 2010, focusing on sports betting since 2014. Before entering the sports betting space, he contributed to the Canadian Press, FanSided, the Hockey Writers, the Calgary Herald, and other publications. His work has also been featured in Sports Illustrated and Bleacher Report. Gary, who consumes sports like a blue whale devours plankton, has a penchant for writing predictions and analyses across several sports, including hockey, soccer, football, tennis, and more. He bets regularly, preferring single-game picks, props, and live betting. While there isn't a sport he has yet to dabble in, Gary prefers betting on soccer, hockey, and football. He studied at various post-secondary institutions, including the University of Calgary, SAIT Polytechnic, and Griffith University, located in Brisbane, Australia. Gary has a marketing degree and completed his bachelor's degree in journalism at Griffith University. He feels strongly that life experience is as essential as post-secondary education, helping formulate more accurate predictions and analyses. Gary believes that competing at a high level of amateur sports during his formative years helped him better understand an athlete's psyche and the nuances and complexities of a team's dynamic, both on and off the playing surface. He feels that knowledge is immeasurably important when offering his analytical expertise. He has lived on five continents and currently resides in Canada.