NHL predictions: Winning streaks on the line as Avalanche visit Blues

The battle for the top spots in the NHL heats up this Tuesday as the Colorado Avalanche, riding a six-game winning spree, clash with the St. Louis Blues, who are on a four-game winning streak themselves.

Colorado's recent victories, including three overtime triumphs, place them in a tight race with the Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars for the Central Division's lead. Each squad has notched 91 points, but with the Jets at 67 games, Avalanche at 68, and Stars at 69, the competition is fierce. Clinching the top position means sidestepping a challenging playoff matchup against one of these formidable rivals.

The Blues, on a four-win stretch, are keeping their playoff dreams alive, trailing the Vegas Golden Knights by four points for the Western Conference's second wild card. Despite a less-than-ideal goal difference, they're in a position to pressure the Golden Knights.

This makes the upcoming Tuesday face-off crucial for both sides, particularly for the Blues, who are desperately seeking a playoff berth. Consider these top picks on 7x7Bets for the Tuesday lineup.

Best Money Line Bet

The Toronto Maple Leafs, despite a late-game slip-up against Carolina, leading to a 5-4 shootout defeat, maintain a strong 12-3-1 record in their latest 16 outings. This streak includes defeats to Boston and Vegas but shows resilience.

Philadelphia is hanging onto a playoff position by a thread, having suffered three losses in their last four matches and conceding 21 goals. A recent 6-2 home defeat to Toronto underlines their challenges, exacerbated by injuries to key defenders.

With Toronto's dynamic offense, a bet on the Maple Leafs ML ( -129*) seems wise.

Best Handicap Bet

The LA Kings, vying for a playoff spot in the Pacific Division, are tied in points with the Vegas Golden Knights. Despite a mixed performance post-Christmas, they are gearing up against a lesser opponent this Tuesday.

The Chicago Blackhawks, with recent wins against non-playoff teams and a significant loss to the Kings, face a tough road game. The Kings, having dominated the Blackhawks earlier, are poised for another strong victory.

A bet on Kings -1.5 ( -139*) is recommended.

Best Total Bet

The Nashville Predators, boasting the highest scoring rate over the last month, may not be known for an explosive offense, but their performance suggests otherwise. Against the San Jose Sharks, with the league's worst defensive record recently, expect a high-scoring game, making Sharks-Predators Over 6 ( -111*) a solid bet.

Best Player Prop Bet

With Joel Eriksson Ek sidelined, Ryan Hartman steps up as the Minnesota Wild's top center, showing promising performance. Facing the defensively weak Anaheim Ducks, Hartman is expected to capitalize on this opportunity.

Consider betting on Ryan Hartman Over 0.5 points ( -135*) for a likely score in this matchup.

Now you know this week's NHL predictions. Sign Up Now or click HERE to play at 7x7Bets, the most reliable and trustworthy online casino in India. Don't forget to claim your withdrawable real money welcome deposit bonus, weekly cashback bonus and referral bonus!