Best NHL Prop Bets Today: Colorado’s Defense in a Position to Round Back Into Form

With a lower point percentage than Dallas, the Colorado Avalanche are in desperate need of sparking a hot stretch of play to help secure one of the top three spots in the Central division standings. By finishing in the top three, the Avs would receive an auto berth for the playoffs and avoid having to compete with the rest of the Western Conference for one of the two wildcard spots. Fortunately for Colorado, they face off against the anemic Chicago Blackhawks who struggle to generate offensive production.

Speaking of a lack of offensive production, the Vancouver Canucks front line have been nearly just as underwhelming in their efforts of generating high quality Shots on Goal. That bodes well for the Washington Capitals as their defense has steadily regressed the past few weeks, now having the opportunity to round back into form and build some momentum for the second half of the season.

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Colorado Avalanche vs. Chicago Blackhawks - Prop Bets (7:30 PM, EST)

Chicago Blackhawks Team Total Under 2.5 (-135) at BetMGM Sportsbook

Even though the Colorado Avalanche have started to win at a more consistent rate, their defense has steadily regressed during that span. Once ranked near the top of the board in Expected Goals Against in All Situations, the Avs back line have fallen out of the top-10 as we near the halfway point of the season.

Luckily for Colorado, their defense has the opportunity to round back into form as they face off against the Chicago Blackhawks and their anemic offense. Generating offensive production has been a struggle for the Blackhawks this season as their front line enters the contest ranked dead last in Expected Goals For in All Situations. Only two Blackhawks average more than 0.25 Expected Goals per game, hindering Chicago’s chances of stretching out the Avs coverage to help create higher quality shooting lanes.

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Ross Colton Over 1.5 Shots on Goal (-196) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Not only does Chicago struggle on offense, but their defense also severely underwhelms as their back line ranks below league average in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. That bodes well for Ross Colton in his efforts of maintaining his high level of play as the Avs center has quietly averaged 0.40 Expected Goals and 2.50 Shots on Goal per game. With his supporting cast commanding defensive attention, expect Colton to exploit the gaps in coverage and generate a high amount of shots towards their net.

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Vancouver Canucks vs. Washington Capitals - Prop Bets (7:30 PM, EST)

Vancouver Canucks Team Total Under 2.5 (-105) at BetMGM Sportsbook

After winning the Pacific division title last year, the Vancouver Canucks are in serious jeopardy of missing out on the playoffs this season as they possess just a two point lead over the Calgary Flames for the last wildcard spot in the playoffs. Their lack of offensive production has played a major role in their struggles as the Canucks rank 31st overall in Expected Goals For in All Situations with an average of 2.65 Expected Goals per game.

Their lack of offensive production bodes well for Washington as their defense is in desperate need of rounding back into form. Luckily for the Capitals, Charlie Lindgren and Logan Thompson have been able to mask their struggles with their own individual production as both goalies rank top-20 in Goals Against per game while generating a Save Percentage of .900 or higher. With the Canucks offense struggling to create high quality Shots on Goal, expect either goalie to stone wall their shots at the net.

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Conor Garland Under 2.5 Shots on Goal (-144) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Even though the Capitals defense has regressed, they still rank above league average in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. That spells potential disaster for Conor Garland who has struggled to pressure the net this season as the Canucks forward enters the contest averaging just 2.31 Shots on Goal per game. With their offense unable to stretch out the Capitals coverage, expect Garland to continue struggle to weave the puck through low quality shooting lanes.

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