In this article we will formulate an Avalanche vs Golden Knights prediction for this NHL game on Wednesday, May 20th at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL playoff matchup.
Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview
The Colorado Avalanche are coming off of a series win over the Wild in five games by scores of 9-6, 5-2, 1-5, 5-2, and 4-3. In game five, Colorado trailed 3-0 after the first period and 3-1 after the second, but they scored two goals in the last four minutes to tie the game, before winning in OT. The Avalanche recorded 34 shots on goal, won 47.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Colorado got goals from Drury, Kelly, Kulak, and MacKinnon, while Blackwood stopped 10 out of 13 shots and Wedgewood stopped all seven shots in relief.
Prior to that series, Colorado swept the Kings in four games by scores of 2-1, 2-1, 4-2, and 5-1. The Avalanche have won 11 of their last 12 games and they finished first in the Central standings with 121 points. Colorado scored 3.63 goals per game and they allowed 2.40 goals against per game, while also going 17.1% on the power play and 84.6% on the penalty kill this season. Nathan MacKinnon has led the Avalanche with seven goals and six assists, while Martin Necas has added one goal and 10 assists in the playoffs. The projected starting goalie for Colorado is Scott Wedgewood, who is 7-1 with a 2.21 goals against average and a .914 save percentage this postseason.
Vegas Golden Knights Betting Preview
The Vegas Golden Knights are coming off of a series win over the Ducks in six games by scores of 3-1, 1-3, 6-2, 3-4, 3-2, and 5-1. In game six, Vegas led 3-0 after the first period and they added two more in the third in the lopsided win. The Golden Knights recorded 21 shots on goal, won 53.1% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Vegas got goals from Dorofeyev (2), Howden, Marner, and Theodore, while Hart stopped 31 out of 32 shots, which was a .969 save percentage.
Prior to this series, Vegas defeated the Mammoth in six games by scores of 4-2, 2-3, 2-4, 5-4, 5-4, and 5-1. The Golden Knights have won seven of their last nine games and they finished first in the Pacific standings with 95 points. Vegas scored 3.22 goals per game and they allowed 2.95 goals against per game, while also going 24.6% on the power play and 81.4% on the penalty kill this season. Mitch Marner has led the Golden Knights with seven goals and 11 assists, while Jack Eichel has added one goal and 14 assists in the playoffs. The projected starting goalie for Vegas is Carter Hart, who is 8-4 with a 2.37 goals against average and a .917 save percentage this postseason.
Why the Colorado Avalanche will win
- The Avalanche have won 15 of their last 16 games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Golden Knights have lost each of their last eight games as underdogs following a road win.
- The Avalanche have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Golden Knights have failed to cover the puck line in 12 of their last 14 road games following a road win.
- The Golden Knights have lost the second period in seven of their last eight games as underdogs following a road win.
Why the Vegas Golden Knights will win
- The Golden Knights have won seven of their last eight Game 1s of a playoff series.
- The Avalanche have lost three of their last four games as home favorites after coming off overtime.
- The Golden Knights have covered the puck line in each of their last 12 games as road underdogs.
- The Avalanche have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight home games following a home win.
- The Avalanche have lost the second period in each of their last four games against Pacific Division opponents when trailing after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the last nine games between the Golden Knights and Avalanche at Ball Arena have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Seven of the Golden Knights’ last eight games against opponents on a winning streak have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Golden Knights’ last nine games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Avalanche’s last five night games against opponents on a winning streak.
Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts
- Nathan MacKinnon has scored at least one goal in each of the Avalanche’s last six games.
- Nathan MacKinnon has recorded at least one assist in each of the Avalanche’s last 15 Game 1s of a playoff series.
- Nathan MacKinnon ranks 1st in the league for Goals (53) this season.
Vegas Golden Knights Player Prop Facts
- Brett Howden has scored at least one goal in each of the Golden Knights’ last five road games.
- Mitch Marner has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Golden Knights’ last eight road games.
- Pavel Dorofeyev ranks 2nd in the league for Power Play Goals (20) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Colorado Avalanche rank 1st in the league for goals per game this season (3.63).
- The Colorado Avalanche rank 1st in the league for goals against per game this season (2.40).
- The Vegas Golden Knights rank 6th in the league in power play percentage this season (24.47%).
- The Vegas Golden Knights rank 7th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (81.37%).
Avalanche vs Golden Knights Prediction
Colorado rolls into this matchup after winning 11 of their last 12 games and they have scored 4+ goals in four of their last five. The Avalanche were 26-9-6 at home this year, while the Golden Knights were 19-14-8 on the road. Vegas won three out of four to close out the Ducks, but this is a huge step up in competition from Anaheim and Utah. I think Colorado will come out strong once again and I like them -1.5 in this one.