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The Colorado Avalanche (18-14-0) take on the Vancouver Canucks (15-9-5) Monday. Puck drop from Rogers Arena is set for 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Bruins vs. Jets odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Avalanche won 3-0 last season
The Avs got back to their winning ways with a 5-2 final Saturday against the Nashville Predators. C Nathan MacKinnon had 2 goals to give him 13 on the year. He has scored in 3 straight games, and the Avs have won 4 of 5 games. Their play has improved after shoring up their goaltending with 2 trades. Colorado has surrendered 2 or fewer goals in 4 of 5 contests, and they won each of those.
The Canucks have lost 3 of 4 after a 5-1 shelling by the Boston Bruins Saturday. G Thatcher Demko eroded in just his second start of the season, allowing 5 goals on 28 shots. Defense was a big cog in their game last season, and they’re 21st with 3.14 goals allowed per game. Getting their No. 1 goalie indoctrinated after being out all year should start to shift those numbers.
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Avalanche at Canucks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 3:15 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Avalanche -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Canucks +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche -1.5 (+165) | Canucks +1.5 (-200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Avalanche at Canucks projected goalies
Mackenzie Blackwood (7-9-3, 2.95 GAA, .913 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Thatcher Demko (17-5-0, 2.14 GAA, .925 SV%, 3 SO)
Blackwood was great in his first start since joining the club via trade from San Jose. He stopped 37 of 39 shots the Predators sent his way. He is the best goalie the team has had since losing Darcy Kuemper after the 2022 Stanley Cup run. Blackwood faced Vancouver earlier this season and stopped 25 of 28 in a 3-2 loss while with the Sharks.
As mentioned, Demko just began his season after missing nearly 3 months due to injury. He allowed 9 goals and went 0-1-1 in his 2 starts. He was 0-2-0 with a 3.03 GAA and .880 SV% in 2 starts against the Avs last year.
Avalanche at Canucks picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 5, Canucks 3
Moneyline
The Canucks are allowing too many goals to trust. Hey, that rhymed. The Avs are just starting to hit their stride, and they’re skating with newfound confidence with a duo of sturdy options behind them.
That said, I’m not taking them -150 on the road against a playoff-caliber team. Instead, I’m going with NATHAN MACKINNON ANYTIME GOAL (+135). His SOG totals have been spotty at 3, 4, 3, 6, 2 and 3 the last few games. He has 4 goals in the last 3, though, so I like the upside of making it 5 in 4.
Puck line/Against the spread
In a move that seemed ludicrous a month ago, I’m taking AVALANCHE -1.5 (+165) in Vancouver. Again, the Avs have scored 4+ in 3 of 4 games, and they’re skating with the most confidence they have had all season. On the contrary, the Canucks are where Colorado is with concerns between the pipes.
Over/Under
The Avs are 5-5 O/U in their last 10, and the Canucks are 6-4. This total would be 3-2-1 in the last 6 meetings. With the way each is playing on different ends of the spectrum, I like the OVER 6 (-105).
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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