The Colorado Avalanche (2-2-0) and Anaheim Ducks (1-2-1) square off Friday for a 10 p.m. ET puck drop at Honda Center in Anaheim. Below, we analyze the Avalanche-Ducks NHL odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Avalanche at Ducks: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:05 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Avalanche -210 (bet $210 to win $100) | Ducks +175 (bet $100 to win $175)
- Against the spread/ATS: Avalanche -1.5 (+135) | Ducks +1.5 (-160)
- Over/Under: 5.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Avalanche at Ducks: Projected starting goalies
Philipp Grubauer (2-1-0, .923 SV%, 2.01 GAA, 1 SO) vs. John Gibson (1-1-1, .937 SV%, 2.03 GAA, 1 SO)
Grubauer will be back between the pipes after Hunter Miska made his NHL debut in Thursday’s 4-2 loss against the Los Angeles Kings. Grubauer received a break after starting the first three games and playing really well.
Gibson will be back in the crease after Ryan Miller started Wednesday night for his first outing in 10 months. Gibby had a shutout in his most recent start against Minnesota Monday, stopping all 34 shots he faced. His only loss in regulation was Jan. 14 in his first assignment.
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Avalanche at Ducks: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Avalanche 4, Ducks 1
Money line (ML)
The Avalanche (-210) are a little on the pricey side for a road team, as they’ll cost you two times your potential return. My personal betting limit is -180 on singular money line wagers, so PASS straight up.
If you were to toss the Avs in a multi-team parlay, that would be perfectly acceptable. Anaheim lost a key defenseman in Josh Manson, as the physical rearguard will be sidelined at least six weeks due to an oblique injury.
Against the spread (ATS)
The AVALANCHE -1.5 (+135) are a good play against the offensively-challenged Ducks, especially with Grubauer back between the pipes.
While Colorado has just two wins, and only one cover on the puck line, the Ducks have struggled with a total of just 6 goals in four games. They won’t be able to keep up with Colorado.
Over/Under (O/U)
UNDER 5.5 (-105) has connected in four straight games for the Ducks, and they’re averaging just 1.5 goals per game across four outings. Anaheim has been playing with a deliberate and slow pace, which has been keeping them in games. Colorado is averaging 3.5 goals per game so far, but if you take out their 8-0 win against the St. Louis Blues Jan. 15, they have averaged just 2.0 goals across their other three contests.
Slow and low is the play here, especially with two of the best goaltenders in the Western Conference going.
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