The Colorado Avalanche (9-6-1) kick off a two-game set on the road against the Arizona Coyotes (9-7-3) Friday with a 9 p.m. ET puck drop at Gila River Arena. Below, we analyze the Avalanche-Coyotes odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
Avalanche at Coyotes: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Avalanche -175 (bet $175 to win $100) | Coyotes +150 (bet $100 to win $150)
- Against the spread/ATS: Avalanche -1.5 (+155) | Coyotes +1.5 (-190)
- Over/Under: 5.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Avalanche at Coyotes: Projected starting goalies
Hunter Miska (0-1-1, 3.55 GAA, .881 SV%) vs. Adin Hill (1-0-0, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 SV%,)
Miska gets the nod with a Friday-Saturday back-to-back set in the desert, as starter Philipp Grubauer needed a little more rest after a rare poor outing at home Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild. Miska hasn’t appeared in a game since Jan. 31, also against the Wild, and also a loss. He has coughed up 7 goals on 59 shots in his only two appearances.
Hill made his season debut in a difficult way Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks. He entered the crease in the third period for the injured Darcy Kuemper (lower body). Hill handled himself with aplomb, as the Coyotes stormed back from a 3-0 deficit, forced overtime, and won it in a shootout, mostly all on Hill’s watch. He makes his first NHL start since Feb. 19, 2020.
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Avalanche at Coyotes: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Coyotes 5, Avalanche 4
Money line (ML)
Back the COYOTES (+150), as they’re a significant value on home ice. Yes, they’re using a goalie who is making his first start in over a calendar year, but Hill certainly looked good when thrust into action without much warm-up.
The fact Miska is on the other end of the ice is the key here, though. He has allowed at least 3 goals in each of his two appearances while looking shaky.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The Coyotes +1.5 (-190) are just over my personal limit of -180, although this is a tempting play. You can expect a seesaw affair in this one, and neither team is likely to pull away.
Still, just back Arizona to win straight up rather than putting up a bunch of juice on the underdog with just 1 goal of insurance in the event of a loss.
PASS.
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 5.5 (+100) is the slam-dunk play, and at even money, too. Yes, Hill looked sharp the other night, but that was against the Wild. The Avalanche have been a high-octane offense this season, and that’s a tough assignment in your first start in over a year.
Again, Miska is between the pipes for the Avs, and he has allowed 3 or more goals in each of his two outings. This one should see end-to-end or fire wagon hockey for long stretches.
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