The Colorado Avalanche (34-12-4) play the finale of a four-game set with the San Jose Sharks (20-26-6) Wednesday. Puck drop is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET at SAP Center. Below, we analyze the Avalanche-Sharks odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
The Avalanche won the front end of the two-game set at SAP Center in San Jose by a 5-4 count in overtime, and Colorado has won each of the first three games in this four-game set, outscoring San Jose by a 12-7 count.
The Sharks have won just twice in the past 13 games, as they limp to the finish line of a forgettable season. They have been an underdog in each of the past 10, losing eight of those outings.
The Over is the most consistent thing about the Sharks, hitting in six of the past seven contests.
Avalanche at Sharks: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:08 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Avalanche -300 (bet $300 to win $100) | Sharks +240 (bet $100 to win $240)
- Against the spread/ATS: Avalanche -1.5 (-115) | Sharks +1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under: 6 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Avalanche at Sharks: Projected starting goalies
Philipp Grubauer (27-8-1, 2.00 GAA, .920 SV%, 6 SO) vs. Josef Korenar (2-4-0, 3.21 GAA, .896 SV%)
Grubauer coughed up four goals in Monday’s OT win, and he has allowed four or more goals in three of his past five starts. He has won both of his starts since returning from the COVID list, both against San Jose.
Korenar allowed four goals in Saturday’s 4-3 loss at Colorado, but he made 40 saves and was under siege all evening. He acquitted himself well, and he has won two of his past three outings overall.
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Avalanche at Sharks: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Avalanche 4, Sharks 2
Money line (ML)
The Avalanche (-300) are heavy favorites to gain the four-game sweep, and you cannot risk three times your potential return despite the overwhelming feeling that Colorado is going to win again.
That’s how it works. A favorite ticks off several wins in a row, then one loss as a heavy favorite washes away the profits in an instant.
AVOID.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The AVALANCHE -1.5 (-115) are worth a look on the puck line rather than betting them straight up. Colorado has won by just one goal in each of the past two, so don’t get crazy.
Familiarity of these teams, playing in their fourth straight matchup, means the Sharks will play them tight. It might take a late empty-net goal to get you over the hump here.
Over/Under (O/U)
I don’t like the flat line of O/U 6. I think we see exactly six goals in this matchup. Risk a little extra and play the alternate line of OVER 5.5 (-150) for a better value.
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