The Colorado Avalanche (3-0-1) and Columbus Blue Jackets (1-2) meet at Nationwide Arena on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Avalanche knocked off the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 in their most recent game, while the Blue Jackets are coming off a 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils.

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Get ready for this matchup with a look at who we predict will emerge with the victory in Thursday's contest.

Avalanche vs. Blue Jackets Predictions for Thursday

Our computer model for this encounter calls for a final tally of Avalanche 4, Blue Jackets 3.

Moneyline Pick: Avalanche (-162)
Total Pick: Under 6.5 (computer predicts 5.8 goals on average)
Spread Pick: Blue Jackets (+1.5)

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Avalanche Splits and Trends

The Avalanche were 49-29-4 overall and 9-6-15 in overtime matchups last season.
Colorado was 13-7-3 (29 points) in its 23 games decided by one goal.
The 15 times last season the Avalanche finished a game with only one goal, they went 1-11-3 (five points).
Colorado finished 5-9-2 in the 16 games last season when it scored exactly two goals (registering 12 points).
The Avalanche scored at least three goals 55 times, and went 46-8-1 in those games (to record 93 points).
In the 34 games when Colorado scored a single power-play goal, it had a 24-8-2 record (50 points).
In the 59 games when it outshot its opponent, Colorado was 36-20-3 (75 points).
The Avalanche's opponent had more shots in 23 games last season. The Avalanche went 13-9-1 in those contests (27 points).

Blue Jackets Splits and Trends

The Blue Jackets put up a record of 10-9-19 in overtime contests last season on their way to an overall mark of 40-33-9.
Columbus accumulated 22 points (7-7-8) in its 22 games that finished with a one-goal margin.
Last season the Blue Jackets scored just one goal in seven games, and they picked up two points (0-5-2).
Columbus picked up nine points (4-10-1 record) last season when scoring two goals .
The Blue Jackets scored more than two goals 51 times, accumulating 76 points (36-11-4).
Columbus scored a lone power-play goal in 28 games last season and registered 38 points.
When outshooting its opponent last season, Columbus was 18-12-4 (40 points).
The Blue Jackets' opponents had more shots in 41 games last season. The Blue Jackets went 19-17-5 in those contests (43 points).

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Team Stats Comparison (2024-25)