St. Louis Blues vs Colorado Avalanche Picks and Predictions for Wednesday, December 31, 2025

By: Kim Smith Published 12/31/2025, 01:00 AM ET
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This matchup is about as lopsided as it gets on paper. The struggling St. Louis Blues head into Denver to face the NHL’s most dominant home team, the Colorado Avalanche, who have turned Ball Arena into a near-automatic win this season. From a betting perspective, this game is less about who wins and more about how to attack the market. Get ready for all the heart stopping action with our NHL picks to help you find a winner.

Game Overview

Puck drop is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET at Ball Arena in Denver, with coverage on ESPN+.

  • Moneyline: Blues +280 | Avalanche -325
  • Total: 6.5 (Over +114, Under -135)
  • Puck Line: Blues +1.5 (+114) | Avalanche -1.5 (-135)

Colorado enters riding a winning streak and boasting one of the most absurd home records in recent NHL memory.

St. Louis Blues Breakdown

St. Louis comes in at 15-17-8 (7-8-3 away) and has struggled to find consistency all season. The Blues are averaging just 2.50 goals per game, while allowing 3.38, a combination that has made sustained success difficult—especially against elite opponents.

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Goaltending is a concern. Jordan Binnington has had a rough year (3.44 GAA, .870 SV%), and while Joel Hofer has been better statistically, this is a brutal spot regardless of who starts. Facing Colorado’s speed and shot volume at altitude is one of the league’s toughest assignments.

Offensively, the Blues rely heavily on Robert Thomas, but beyond that, scoring depth has been inconsistent. St. Louis also owns a subpar power play (18.4%) and doesn’t generate enough shots to apply sustained pressure.

Colorado Avalanche Breakdown

Colorado enters at a staggering 29-2-7 overall and 16-0-2 at home, numbers that almost defy belief. The Avalanche are averaging 4.00 goals per game while allowing just 2.18, giving them the best goal differential in the NHL by a wide margin.

The offense runs through Nathan MacKinnon, who is having an MVP-caliber season (66 points, 32 goals). Colorado’s speed, transition game, and relentless forecheck overwhelm opponents, especially teams that struggle defensively.

Goaltending has been elite across the board. Whether it’s Scott Wedgewood or Mackenzie Blackwood, Colorado continues to get high-end performance in net. Add in a penalty kill operating at 85.3%, and it’s clear why this team rarely loses—let alone at home.

Betting Matchup and Key Angles

  • Colorado is 16-0-2 at home this season
  • Avalanche average 4.00 goals per game, Blues average 2.50
  • St. Louis has struggled against elite offenses
  • Colorado regularly covers the puck line at Ball Arena

This is a classic “elite team vs. overmatched opponent” scenario.

Best Picks and Predictions

Best Bet: Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (-135) The moneyline is extremely expensive, and Colorado has consistently won home games by multiple goals. This sets up perfectly for a puck-line play. I’m laying the Avalanche -1.5 (-135) here. Colorado at home has been automatic, and this matchup strongly favors their speed, depth, and goaltending. St. Louis simply doesn’t have the offensive firepower or defensive structure to keep this close, especially at altitude. This feels like another comfortable multi-goal win for the Avalanche.

Lean: Under 6.5 (-135) Despite Colorado’s scoring ability, St. Louis struggles to contribute offensively, which keeps the total from getting out of hand unless the Avalanche completely explode. Make sure you know about how the fans are looking on prediction markets for the Blues with the Thrillz promo code. Make the most of your bets on the Avalanche by using the sportsbook promos.  Make sure when you place your Blues vs Avalanche bet you are using the bet365 bonus code.

Final Score Prediction

Avalanche 5, Blues 1

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