The Colorado Avalanche (2-0) and Nashville Predators (0-2) meet for Game 3 of their 1st-round Western Conference playoff series Saturday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The Avalanche lead the series 2-0. Puck drop is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we look at the Avalanche vs. Predators odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Avalanche won both of the games in Denver by different methods. Colorado fired out to a 5-0 first-period lead in Game 1, chasing David Rittich and routing the Preds.
In Game 2, the Avalanche outlasted Connor Ingram, who stood on his head and kept Nashville in the game, eventually falling to the Avs 2-1 in overtime. Ingram is slated to start again after the heroic effort.
Avalanche at Predators odds 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 7:40 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Avalanche -230 (bet $230 to win $100) | Predators +180 (bet $100 to win $180)
- Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche -1.5 (+105) | Predators +1.5 (-130)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
Avalanche at Predators projected goalies
Darcy Kuemper (37-12-4, 2.54 GAA, .921 SV%, 5 SO – regular season) vs. Connor Ingram (1-2-0, 3.71 GAA, .879 SV%, 0 SO – regular season)
Kuemper has been Vezina-quality for most of the season, and he had a 2.58 GAA and .923 SV% with four of his shutouts on the road this season, going 16-8-2. He has a 1.40 GAA and a .941 SV% in the series.
Ingram made just three appearances in the regular season, but he was called upon early in Game 1, allowing just two goals in relief. He was spectacular in Game 2, giving his team a chance to win. With Juuse Saros again ruled out due to a lower-body injury, it’s Ingram time.
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Avalanche at Predators picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 4, Predators 2
Money line
The Avalanche (-230) are a little too expensive on the road in Game 3, as they barely got it done in Game 2.
The Predators (+180) are tempting as heavy underdogs on home ice. A change of venue in the Carolina-Boston series made a huge difference, and we could potentially see the same effect here in front of a raucous crowd. However, I think Colorado gets it done.
AVOID.
Against the spread
The AVALANCHE -1.5 (+105) are a better play on the puck line at almost even-money. The Colorado offense had a full game to see Ingram, and there’s a reason he was the team’s third-string goaltender. They’ll get to him, and a quick start wouldn’t be shocking. We saw road teams dominate in Friday’s games, and Saturday could be more of the same.
Over/Under
UNDER 6.5 (-107) is worth playing, but go lightly. We saw a total of just three goals in Game 2 after a high-scoring series opener. You can expect a few more goals here, as the Avalanche aren’t going to be limited to just one goal in regulation again, perhaps for the remainder of the postseason.
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