Free Picks: Arizona Coyotes vs. Colorado Avalanche

The Coyotes have struggled on offense all season. Now facing one of the best defensive teams in the NHL, Arizona’s total goals is intriguing. Colorado has had the Coyotes’ offense whimpering and I expect much of the same in this contest. Colorado has been elite on defense throughout the 2020-2021 campaign which will intimidate the Coyotes.

Coming off a 5-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks, the Arizona Coyotes finally snapped an ugly 5-game losing skid. Now back in the win column, they face another tough test in the Colorado Avalanche.

The Avs are one of the premier teams in the NHL right now and should prove to be a difficult challenge for Arizona in this contest. One thing the Coyotes have struggled at this season is goal scoring. Against a defensively strong team like the Avalanche, Arizona may struggle to put the puck in the net on Monday.

This leads me to my free pick and prediction for this game. The Coyotes are terrible goal scorers, so I want to focus on the over/under in total goals for the home team Arizona Coyotes.

In 16 games this season, the Coyotes have failed to score more than 3 goals in a game. They have also been shutout 4 times in 31 games. Circling back to the Yotes, this means that more than half of Arizona’s games this season have seen them score less than 3 goals in a game.

Against Colorado, the Coyotes have scored more than 2 goals just once this season, in 4 attempts. The Avs have done a great job in keeping Arizona’s offense at bay, something I expect to see much of the same on Monday night.

The Avalanche are favorites for the NHL game odds, but I don’t think there is much value in taking the Colorado MoneyLine. Even though the under in Arizona total goals is the favorite, I still see that as a more viable pick to see a solid return on your wager.

Circling back, Arizona is a low-scoring team in general. Add in that they have historically struggled against Colorado this season and I think taking the home team goals (Arizona) under 2.5 is the best NHL bet you can make.

• Arizona averages 2 goals per game against Colorado this season.
• The Coyotes are ranked 24^th in total goals.
• The Avalanche are ranked 2^nd in goals against.
• Colorado has allowed 2 or less goals in 11 games this season (29 games).