The Colorado Avalanche (1-2-0) face the Florida Panthers (3-0-0) Thursday at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Fla. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Avalanche vs. Panthers odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Avalanche welcomed C Nathan MacKinnon back from the COVID-19 list, and LW Gabriel Landeskog will be back after serving a two-game suspension for a boarding incident against the Chicago Blackhawks. Colorado is now whole, which is bad for everyone else.
The Panthers are coming off a 4-1 win at the Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday. They’ve outscored the opposition 14-6. Florida has had all of this success despite ranking just 26th in power-play percentage.
Avalanche at Panthers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:27 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Avalanche +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Panthers -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche +1.5 (-260) | Panthers -1.5 (+185)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -125)
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Avalanche at Panthers projected goalies
Darcy Kuemper (1-2-0, 3.79 GAA, .890 SV%) vs. Sergei Bobrovsky (2-0-0, 2.47 GAA, .935 SV%)
Kuemper has started all three games, recently coughing up 5 goals on 39 shots in a 6-3 loss at the Washington Capitals Tuesday. He has been doing the heavy lifting with backup G Pavel Francouz nursing an ankle ailment.
Bobrovsky was involved in a seesaw affair in the opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins, picking up a wild 5-4 win in OT. He was much better Saturday, stuffing the New York Islanders in a 5-1 win, stopping 29 shots.
Avalanche at Panthers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 4, Panthers 3
Money line
The AVALANCHE (+100) are a great value at even-money with MacKinnon and Landeskog back in the mix. Kuemper has been a bit shaky in recent days, but he’ll get plenty of offensive support in this rematch of the 1996 Stanley Cup Final.
Against the spread
The Avalanche +1.5 (-260) will cost you over two and a half times your potential return if you want a little insurance and don’t quite trust Colorado straight up.
AVOID and play the money line instead.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (+100) is the lean at even money. Kuemper has been very giving lately. That trend continues against the red-hot Panthers offense.
However, Bobrovsky will have a similar performance like he had against the Penguins. The Avalanche offense will get it going early and often in this one. This is going to be a fun game.
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