The Colorado Avalanche (50-24-7) take their shot at the Central Division title against the Nashville Predators (42-31-8) Friday at Bridgestone Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Avalanche vs. Predators odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Avs grinded out a 4-2 win — as large -301 home favorites — over Winnipeg Thursday to remain 1 point behind Dallas for the Central Division crown. Colorado holds the tiebreaker and will need at least 1 point in this game to win the division. There is plenty of motivation to do so because they would avoid a tough 1st-round opponent in Minnesota. Colorado is playing without D Cale Makar (lower body), who has been out since April 1. He has been skating and is questionable for this one.
Nashville has won 4 of the last 5 games — 3 as an underdog — but only 1 of them was in regulation. The Predators are a gritty team that battles in front of the net looking for redirects and rebounds. The Avs had a tough game at home vs. the Jets Thursday night and had to catch a late flight to Nashville. If the Avs want the Central, they’re going to have to earn it.
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Avalanche at Predators odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:52 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Avalanche -225 (bet $225 to win $100) | Predators +180 (bet $100 to win $180)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche -1.5 (+115) | Predators +1.5 (-140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Avalanche at Predators projected goalies
Pavel Francouz (8-7-1, 2.61 GAA, .915 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Kevin Lankinen (9-7-1, 2.67 GAA, .918 SV%)
Francouz stopped 19 of 23 shots in a 5-4 overtime win at Anaheim Sunday. He only has 2 starts since January, and Nashville will provide a net-front presence to test him going into the playoffs. He faced Nashville twice in the playoffs last year and won both games, stopping 46 of 51 shots.
Lankinen beat Vegas 3-2 in OT at home in his last start April 4, stopping 30 of 32 shots. He gave up 5 goals on 35 shots to the Avalanche in a 5-3 road loss Nov. 10. He’s a capable backup with good performances against Toronto, L.A. and Florida in March.
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Avalanche at Predators picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 5, Predators 4
Moneyline
The Avs have to be tired. This is their 5th game in 7 days, and 3 of them were tough games against playoff teams. Nashville will only miss the playoffs by a maximum of 3 points. The Avs have beaten the Preds 7 straight times, though, and they’re 7-2 in the last 9 at Bridgestone. Somehow, someway, the defending champs get it done, but it might take overtime and will come at a cost in their 1st-round playoff series. Skip the -225 ML and head to the “win/total” section.
Take COLORADO WIN AND OVER 4.5 GOALS (-125).
Puck line/Against the spread
Multiple goals have decided 4 of the last 5 meetings between the teams, but this is a different scenario.
PASS.
Over/Under
The juice is on the Under here, but tired legs mean higher scores. The Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Nashville and 8-3 in the last 11 meetings overall. A lot at stake, backup goalies, this has a very real Over feel.
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