Colorado Avalanche vs Columbus Blue Jackets

With Mikko Rantanen riding a five-game point streak, the Avs come into Nationwide Arena looking to extend their recent momentum against a Jackets squad still scratching to stay in the playoff picture. Colorado has won three straight and appears healthier than their blue-clad opponents—most notably, Nathan MacKinnon is skating at full speed while Columbus’s leading scorer, Patrik Laine, is still listed day-to-day with a lingering back issue. The Jackets, losers of four of their last six, have struggled to generate offense in recent matchups against Colorado, averaging just 2.1 goals over their last 5 meetings. Meanwhile, Alexandar Georgiev is expected to start and has historically posted solid numbers against Columbus, with a 0.918 save percentage over 4 career starts vs the Jackets. With Colorado solidifying their playoff seeding and Columbus fighting to stay alive, the urgency is high—but the depth and form of the Avs makes them the stronger play. The -155 line offers decent value considering the edge in goaltending, health, and opponent history, earning this bet a B+ rating. Odds and availability are subject to change.

The Blue Jackets come into Thursday night’s game riding a two-game skid, struggling to generate offense and failing to convert on the power play—they’ve scored just three total goals in those contests. On the other ice, the Avs—currently third in the Central—are warming up for the postseason and have won four of their last five, but are tightening things up defensively in the process. With Bo Byram still day-to-day for the Avalanche and Patrik Laine sidelined long-term for the Jackets, both teams are lacking offensive punch from key contributors. Add in goaltender Justus Annunen’s recent stellar play for the Mile High Men (posting a .931 SV% across his last three starts) and the fact that Columbus has averaged only 2.4 goals against the Avs over their last five meetings, and it’s hard to see this becoming a shootout. This late in the season, with playoff seeding looming for Colorado and pride alone on the line for the Union Blue, expect a more cautious, tactical game. At -110 odds, the value isn’t eye-popping, and a couple of early goals could flip the script, which gives this pick a B- grade. Odds and availability are subject to change.

The Avs are coming into Columbus red-hot, riding a four-game win streak and looking every bit like a Cup contender as the regular season winds down. Colorado's top line, led by Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, continues to buzz, while Alexandar Georgiev has been sharp in net. Meanwhile, the Jackets have lost three of their last four and are dealing with injuries to key blueliner Zach Werenski and second-line winger Alexandre Texier, weakening their depth against a Colorado team that thrives on rolling all four lines. Historically, MacKinnon has lit up Columbus, with 18 points in his last 10 matchups against the Jackets. With Colorado eyeing home ice in the postseason and the Cannon Crew fading from wild card contention, expect a focused, aggressive road effort. The -1.5 puckline offers decent ROI at -158, and the talent gap — combined with current form and playoff urgency — makes this a strong play.