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Boston Bruins vs Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview
Colorado returns home on Saturday looking to extend its unbeaten start against a Bruins team trying to reset after two straight losses. The Avalanche have earned points in all five games and are getting contributions beyond the top line after a strong showing from their second unit in Columbus. Boston started 3-0 but has slipped defensively, allowing 11 goals across its last two outings.
This is a one-game stop at Ball Arena before Colorado heads back on the road, and the matchup doubles as the first half of a home-and-home that finishes next week in Boston. The Avalanche have not beaten the Bruins in regulation since early 2024 and have dropped three straight in the series.
Mackenzie Blackwood has been cleared from his conditioning stint and is expected to be available, giving Colorado the option to move back to its true starter. Scott Wedgewood has covered well with a 1.58 GAA, but Blackwood’s return adds stability. Boston will lean on Jeremy Swayman after a rough team performance in Vegas forced them into high-event hockey that Marco Sturm does not want his group playing.
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Line Movement and Odds
Colorado opened near -245 on the moneyline, making Boston a sizable road underdog around +200. The puck line sits at +1.5 for Boston with value attached, which signals market expectation of a competitive game even with Colorado favored outright. The total is 6.0, and early tickets have leaned toward the over based on both teams’ scoring profiles.
Updated pricing can be tracked through the NHL odds page before puck drop.
Matchup Breakdown
Bruins outlook
Boston is coming off a 6-5 loss in Vegas where defensive structure broke down and their top six failed to impact the game. Pastrnak and Lindholm still lead the offense, but Sturm made it clear the group needs to tighten in its own zone before pushing tempo. The Bruins are physical, rank top five in hits, and can grind down a forward group that relies on speed more than size.
Avalanche outlook
Colorado continues to control pace with its top two lines, and getting support scoring from Nichushkin and Nelson was a key development. The Avalanche are top tier in both goals for and goals against, and if Blackwood starts, they get their preferred setup back in net. Ball Arena has remained a difficult building for opponents, especially when Colorado tilts the ice early.
Key edge
Colorado has the deeper roster, but Boston is better structured at five-on-five when they are fully dialed in. If this stays within one goal going into the third, Boston has live puck line value even in a losing script.
Injuries and Conditions
Boston Bruins injury report
Hampus Lindholm is still questionable with a lower-body issue according to the latest injury report, leaving the Bruins thinner on breakout ability from the back end.
Colorado Avalanche injury report
Colorado is still without Ronnie Attard, Samuel Girard, Jacob MacDonald, Logan O’Connor, and Nikita Prishchepov, as listed on the most recent injury report. Blackwood is expected to be available and could return to the crease if the staff feels he is ready.
Weather is not a factor indoors at Ball Arena.
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Best Bets and Prediction
Colorado is positioned to win, but Boston has more puck line value than the moneyline indicates. If the Bruins tighten the neutral zone and limit stretch entries, they can keep this within a goal. Colorado has the finishing edge, but Boston’s structure matches up better than recent results suggest.
Projected score: Avalanche 4, Bruins 3
Best bet: Bruins +1.5 (puck line)
Secondary lean: Over 6 goals if Blackwood starts
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