Colorado Avalanche vs Vegas Golden Knights: NHL Predictions & Best Bets

The NHL season is here and finally in full swing! While we’ve had 5 total games so far, we have 5 more on the slate today, and a the entire league in action on Thursday. Hockey is so back, so let’s talk about arguably the game of the night tonight on TNT. The Vegas Golden Knights are hosting the Colorado Avalanche in a huge battle of two top tier teams to start the season. Both of these Western Conference giants have hoisted the Stanley Cup within the past 3 years, and the quest for another Championship begins tonight.

Colorado is still without winger Gabriel Landeskog, and they will also be missing Valeri Nichushkin and Arturi Lehkonen, two crucial pieces to the offense. That just means that Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar have more work cutout for them, and those two love a good challenge. Last season, the Avalanche were significantly worse on the road, winning 31 games at Ball Arena and just 19 away from Denver. Can they come to play in their first game on the road this year?

On the flip side, Vegas was one of those teams as well, winning 27 games at home compared to 18 on the road. But of course, we are in Sin City tonight. The Golden Knights will be without Center William Karlsson tonight who contributed 30 goals and 30 assists last season. VGK also lost a couple key pieces during the offseason. Jonathan Marchessault signed with the Nashville Predators, and Chandler Stephenson with the Seattle Kraken, hindering the Golden Knights’ offense.

Will the Avalanche catch Vegas by surprise tonight? Or will the Golden Knights defend their home ice in their season opener?

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Colorado Avalanche vs Vegas Golden Knights: Hockey in Sin City

Matchup Information – Avalanche vs Golden Knights

• Venue & Location: T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas, NV)
• Date: Wednesday, October 9th, 2024
• Puck Drop: 10:00pm Eastern
• Broadcast: TNT

Betting Odds

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Puck Line

• Avalanche +1.5 (-260)
• Golden Knights -1.5 (+220)

Money Line

• Avalanche -105
• Golden Knights -107

Total

• Over 6.5 (+102)
• Under 6.5 (-118)

Will VGK or Avalanche Pull Out a Victory?

Last season, these teams played 3 times, with the home team winning each contest. Vegas smacked the Avs 7-0 early last season in Sin City, but Colorado got their revenge, winning 3-0 at home in January. Towards the end of the regular season, we saw a thriller between these two in Vegas. The Avalanche led 3-0 going into the 3rd period, but after 20 minutes of play we were headed to overtime after a dominant period from the Knights. Less than 90 seconds into the overtime period, Thomas Hertl netted a Power Play winner for Vegas.

Colorado will certainly have revenge on their mind after failing to beat the Golden Knights in Vegas since October of 2022. With two star studded lineups, we are absolutely in for a treat tonight, but will there be very many goals? The Avalanche are trusting Alexandar Georgiev between the posts, after allowing over 3 goals per game last season. Colorado had no problem keeping up offensively, but will hope Georgiev can keep that below 2.5 or better this season, especially considering it jumped to 3.30 on the road. As for the Knights, Adin Hill is the firm starter, and they signed Ilya Samsonov to come in from time to time.

Last season, Hill posted a 2.71 GA/G, with that number dropping to 2.54 at home. He won both of his starts against Colorado, allowing just 3 goals in 2 games and saving over 95% of shots faced. Gerogiev had the opposite sort of outing against VGK, allowing 11 goals in 3 games, saving just 87% of shots and losing twice on the road. He faced nearly 30 shots per game, but will the Golden Knights be able to produce as much offense without Marchessault leading the offense?

Colorado Avalanche vs Vegas Golden Knights Best Bets

Avalanche vs Golden Knights Prediction: VGK Wins 3-2 (+1000)

Best Bets: COL/VGK Under 6.5 (-118) BetOnline

Starting off the NHL season by taking an under, should be a fun sweat, right?! Both of these teams are missing some key pieces on offense, whether it be injury for the Avs, or free agents signing elsewhere for the Knights. I see these squads taking a step back offensively, and using this first game to get their skates underneath them and gel with their new line members. Adin Hill should be fine in net, and I trust Georgiev to improve from his performance last year against Vegas.

While it is a little scary betting on a total to start the season with no prior data, I think we see a 3-2 match either way.

If you’re a real sicko, Game to go to Overtime is (+350).

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• Pacific Division Preview
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