The Anaheim Ducks (6-12-6) play the second half of a two-game set on the road against the Colorado Avalanche (13-7-1) Saturday with an 8 p.m. ET puck drop at Ball Arena. Below, we analyze the Ducks-Avalanche odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
Ducks at Avalanche: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:40 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Ducks +210 (bet $100 to win $210) | Avalanche -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Ducks +1.5 (-130) | Avalanche -1.5 (+105)
- Over/Under: 5.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Ducks at Avalanche: Projected starting goalies
Ryan Miller (1-2-1, 2.98 GAA, .894 SV%) vs. Hunter Miska (1-1-1, 3.03 GAA, .883 SV%)
Miller is expected to get the starting nod after John Gibson and the Ducks took a 3-2 overtime loss in Friday’s series opener. Miller’s last start was Feb. 24, with the Ducks falling in a 4-3 shootout loss at the Arizona Coyotes. He hasn’t won since his only victory Feb. 6 against the San Jose Sharks, also in a shootout.
Miska made only three starts, but he has done a little bit of everything. He lost in regulation against the Los Angeles Kings, he lost in overtime against the Minnesota Wild, and he won in regulation Feb. 26 in Arizona. The only thing he hasn’t done is make an NHL start at home, but it’s likely he gets the nod here.
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Ducks at Avalanche: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Avalanche 5, Ducks 2
Money line (ML)
The Avalanche (-250) are strong favorites to win the second game of this two-game set in Denver, but you cannot risk two and a half times your potential return. Over the long run, that’s a very poor betting strategy.
AVOID, and look to the puck line instead.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The AVALANCHE -1.5 (+105) are a better play on the puck line at near even money. They won a nail-biter in overtime Friday after erasing a 2-0 early deficit.
Go lightly, as Miska will be between the pipes but if you’re looking for value, it isn’t the money line, but rather the puck line.
The Ducks have lost five in a row against winning teams, too, and the Avalanche are 5-1 in their last six games as home favorites, if that makes you feel a little warmer and fuzzier inside about this wager.
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 5.5 (-110) might be my favorite play on the board in this one. Miller has coughed up plenty of goals, and Miska can certainly be had for at least 2 goals, perhaps even more if the Ducks are having a good night offensively.
In addition, the Over is 9-3 in the past 12 when Anaheim goes to overtime the previous day. The Over is 4-1 in Colorado’s past five on no rest, too.
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