The Colorado Avalanche (38-10-4) battle the Vegas Golden Knights (29-19-4) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Saturday. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we look at the Avalanche vs. Golden Knights odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Avalanche doubled up the Winnipeg Jets 6-3 in Denver Friday, nearly taking care of the Over on their own. Colorado has won four of their previous five outings, including a 2-0 win in Las Vegas Feb. 16.
The Golden Knights were on the short end of a 3-1 loss at the Arizona Coyotes Friday, and they’re just 1-4 across their last five outings as G Laurent Brossoit has struggled in between the pipes since G Robin Lehner went down with an upper-body injury after his Feb. 9 apperance.
Avalanche at Golden Knights odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Avalanche -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Golden Knights +122 (bet $100 to win $122)
- Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche -1.5 (+160) | Golden Knights +1.5 (-210)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -102 | U: -122)
Avalanche at Golden Knights projected goalies
Darcy Kuemper (25-6-2, 2.47 GAA, .919 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Logan Thompson (1-1-0, 2.07 GAA, .935 SV%)
Kuemper saw his four-start win streak snapped in Boston last time out on Monday when he allowed 5 goals on 45 shots. He just faced Vegas Feb.16 and turned aside all 29 shots he faced for his third shutout of the season.
Thompson may get his chance at a third start after Brossoit was in between the pipes Friday in the front end of the back-to-back. Thompson was sharp in San Jose last time out Sunday where he allowed just 1 goal on 36 shots for his first NHL victory.
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Avalanche at Golden Knights odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 4, Golden Knights 2
Money line
The AVALANCHE (-150) are a good value on the road, especially since they’ll be up against the third-string goalie for the Golden Knights. Colorado’s offense has posted 11 goals across the past two games and has averaged 3.8 goals per game across the past four.
Against the spread
The AVALANCHE -1.5 (+160) is worth a roll of the dice on the puck line, as each of their last five victories have been by 2 or more goals, including a 2-0 win in Las Vegas last week. Look for Colorado to take down Vegas yet again at T-Mobile Arena. VGK isn’t the same team without its true No. 1 backstop in the blue ice.
Over/Under
The UNDER 6.5 (-122) is a little bit of a risky play, so tread lightly.
The Avalanche could potentially pile up plenty of offense against Thompson, but it’s unlikely the Golden Knights will be able to dent Kuemper’s twine very much. He has been on fire lately, save for his most recent showing in Beantown.
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