The Colorado Avalanche (38-18-7) continues their road trip against the Nashville Predators (32-23-8) Saturday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville at 7 p.m. ET; you can catch this game on ESPN+. We analyze the Avalanche-Predators sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Avalanche at Predators: Projected starting goalies
Michael Hutchinson vs. Pekka Rinne
The Avalanche made a trade for Hutchinson at the trade deadline last week, and he is likely to get his first start for Colorado after the team just played in Raleigh Friday night. Hutchinson posted a 4-9-1 record, 3.66 goals against average and .886 save percentage in Toronto.
Rinne is expected to patrol the crease. He is 18-13-4 record, 3.00 GAA and .900 SV% this season. In Rinne’s only appearance against the Avs, he coughed up five goals on 22 shots before getting pulled early in the second period on Nov. 7 in a 9-4 loss.
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Avalanche at Predators: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 7:15 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Predators 4, Avalanche 2
Moneyline (ML)
The PREDATORS (-139) gets the Avalanche (+115) in a favorable position, as Colorado will be playing in a back-to-back situation as their road trip continues. The Avalanche have won five in a row, and seven straight on the road, but they’ll run out of gas here. The Preds are 5-1 in their past six at home, and 4-1 in the past five against winning teams, too.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Predators ML returns a profit of $7.20 if they win, while a $10 wager on the Avalanche ML results in a profit of $11.50.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The PREDATORS (-1.5, +195) are worth a small-unit play at nearly double a return, especially if Hutchinson is in the crease for his team debut. He has been very giving so far this season. The Avs are just 3-7 in their past 10 trips to the Music City, too, and 5-16 in the previous 21 meetings overall.
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 5.5 (-106) is the play here, going an impressive 15-6-1 in the past 22 meetings in Nashville. While the under is 6-0 in Colorado’s past six on the road, and 5-2 in Nashville’s past seven at home, Hutchinson is very giving and Rinne hasn’t been himself this season. The over is worth a small-unit play.
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