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The Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings square off to open their 2023-24 seasons at Crypto.com Arena Wednesday. Puck drop is set for 10 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Avalanche vs. Kings odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Avs were bounced in the 1st round of the playoffs by the Seattle Kraken in 7 games last year. The key for them will be health as they have 3 of the best 15 players in the sport in C Nathan MacKinnon, D Cale Makar and C Mikko Rantanen. Colorado has already lost LW Gabriel Landeskog for the season and backup G Pavel Francouz is out indefinitely with a groin injury.
The Kings lost to the Edmonton Oilers in 6 games in the 1st round of the playoffs last season. They’re led by C Adrian Kempe, who had 41 goals last year. The Kings are a tough, defensive-minded team, and they won 2 of 3 games in this matchup last season — both in Colorado.
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Avalanche at Kings odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:48 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Avalanche -122 (bet $122 to win $100) | Kings +102 (bet $100 to win $102)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche -1.5 (+195) | Kings +1.5 (-240)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +104 | U: -128)
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Avalanche at Kings projected goalies
Alexandar Georgiev (40-16-6, 2.53 GAA, .919 SV%, 5 SO last season) vs. Cam Talbot (17-14-2, 2.93 GAA, .898 SV%, 1 SO last season)
Last year was Georgiev’s 1st season as the starter, and he had solid numbers. He was in goal for all 3 Kings-Avalanche games and had a 3.60 GAA and .888 SV%, saving 87 of 98 shots. He went 4-1-1 with a 2.81 GAA and .918 SV% in 6 October starts to open the season last year, which are on par with his season totals.
Talbot was plagued by 3 different injuries in Ottawa last year and never really found his groove. The 36-year-old will be pushed by backup Pheonix Copley, who was great down the stretch and in the playoffs last year. Talbot didn’t face the Avs last year, but he went 1-1 with a 2.51 GAA and .931 SV% against them 2 years ago while with the Minnesota Wild.
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Avalanche at Kings picks and predictions
Prediction
Kings 3, Avalanche 2
Moneyline
The Kings are short ‘dogs in this one, and the public is in on the Avs. According to Pregame.com, 59% of the tickets are on Colorado. It will be interesting to see if sharp money comes in on L.A. as the day progresses. The Kings went 26-11-4 at home last season and took 2 of 3 from Colorado. This Avs team isn’t the same, loaded unit that won the Cup 2 years ago.
I like the KINGS (+102).
Puck line/Against the spread
I don’t like the Avs’ side even if they were able to win, and the Kings are too juiced to consider. One prop bet I will consider is NATHAN MACKINNON 5+ SHOTS ON GOAL (-132). He was super active in the last preseason game with 6 SOG, and he had 8 shots in one of the games against the Kings last year. He also started the season fast with 7 shots in his first game last year.
Over/Under
All 3 games went Over between these teams last year, but the Kings had some issues between the pipes that led them to trade G Jonathan Quick late in the season. I look for the teams to feel each other out early on, and I really don’t see 7 goals unless it reaches overtime.
Take the UNDER 6.5 (-128).
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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