The Anaheim Ducks (6-12-5) are on the road for a back-to-back against the Colorado Avalanche (12-7-1) beginning with a 9 p.m. ET puck drop Friday at Ball Arena. Below, we analyze the Ducks-Avalanche odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
The Ducks are 0-6-2 in their last eight games and are coming off a 3-2 regulation loss to the St. Louis Blues Wednesday. Anaheim is firmly in last place in the West Division.
The Avalanche won three of their last four games and most recently bested the San Jose Sharks 4-0 on the road Wednesday. They’ll be playing their second back-to-back set in a week.
These teams split a two-game set in late January. The Ducks won 3-2 in overtime and the Avalanche won 3-1. Saturday’s puck drop will be at 8 p.m. ET.
Ducks at Avalanche: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:10 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Ducks +225 (bet $100 to win $225) | Avalanche -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Ducks +1.5 (-120) | Avalanche -1.5 (+100)
- Over/Under: 5.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Ducks at Avalanche: Projected starting goalies
John Gibson (5-10-4, .903 SV%, 2.78 GAA) vs. Philipp Grubauer (11-6-0, .920 SV%, 2.07 GAA)
Gibson has taken seven straight losses with just one of those going beyond 60 minutes. His last victory was a 21-save shutout over the Vegas Golden Knights Feb. 11. While goal support is a glaring issue in Anaheim, Gibson has allowed 3 or more goals in each of his last seven losses.
Grubauer rebounded from a rough stretch with the 26-save shutout against the Sharks Wednesday. He matched Gibson and three others with a league-leading third clean sheet of the season. He’s 1-1 against the Ducks with 2 goals allowed in both games.
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Ducks at Avalanche: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Ducks 2, Avalanche 1
Money line (ML)
Sometimes we need to look for an underdog and expect the unexpected when betting the NHL.
The Avalanche will be playing their fifth game since last Friday, are without D Cale Makar (upper body), D Bowen Byram (upper body), and may be without C Nathan MacKinnon (upper body).
Despite Gibson’s recent struggles, he started the season in top form and already earned his team a win over these Avs. Give him the edge over Grubauer, who had struggled prior to Wednesday’s shutout win.
Back the DUCKS (+225) to snap their lengthy losing skid and double-up your investment with a victory in regulation, overtime, or a shootout.
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Against the spread (ATS)
There’s still plenty of value in backing the DUCKS +1.5 (-120) with a goal of insurance on the puck line in a perceived lopsided matchup.
We’re taking advantage of Colorado’s busy schedule and notable injuries that have left the Avs with a shortened bench on the back end.
Over/Under (O/U)
The Avalanche average 3.05 goals per game against the Ducks’ league-worst 2.04 GPG and have stark advantages on both the power play and penalty kill.
Still, despite high expectations for the offense this season, the Avs are 8-12 against the Over/Under. The Ducks are more predictably 8-14 against the number.
Take the UNDER 5.5 (-115) Friday.
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