Goal Fest in Denver: Friday Expert Picks in the NHL
Written by: TonesTakes
Published: Fri Oct 16, 2026, 10:15 am ET
Read Time: 4 minutes
nhl
Back for another week of NHL plays for Your Betting News off a 4-1 week for a profit of 3.91 Units. YTD now sits at 8-2 for a profit of 7.84 Units.
"Freaky" Friday in the National Hockey League usually features a small slate, which is what we have tonight as the Boston Bruins visit the Anaheim Ducks and the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Colorado Avalanche. For tonight's Best Bet we'll look at the Pittsburgh Penguins vs the Colorado Avalanche.
Before we get started, bookmark Our NHL picks page where you'll see more picks from the team. For more information on how to bet on the NHL, take a look at our NHL Betting Guide.
As far as my NHL picks, I look at shot on goal props, but only plus money looks, as the market is very volatile with stat corrections (sometimes days after the game has ended). Also, I'm a totals bettor (team and game). I am never afraid at looking at plus money underdogs. I love providing my insight as to the "Why" and I hope to provide some guidance to novice bettors of this great sport. "Spot" betting is huge on the ice, and this depends on teams travel schedules, goaltending matchups and splits following a win/loss, among may others.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Colorado Avalanche Predictions
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Colorado Avalanche Goaltending Matchup
- Pittsburgh Penguins (3-3-1) Arturs Silovs (Projected) 3-1, 2.73 GAA/.885 Sv%
- Colorado Avalanche (4-2-1) Mackenzie Blackwood (Projected) 3-2, 3.04 GAA/.879 Sv%
Penguins vs Avalanche Betting Odds
Odds courtesy of our friends at LuckyRebel:
Money-Line
- Pittsburgh (+160)
- Colorado (-192)
Puck-Line
- Pittsburgh +1.5 (-142)
- Colorado -1.5 (+120)
Total
- Over 6.5 (-118)
- Under 6.5 (-102)
Best Bet: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Colorado Avalanche Over 6.5 -113 Lucky Rebel
The Pittsburgh Penguins continue their 4 game road trip as they visit the Colorado Avalanche tonight, at Ball Arena. The Pens are off a 5-3 loss in Chicago on Tuesday night. Pittsburgh is off to a 3-3-1 start on the young season but they have lost 4 of their last 5. Meanwhile, Colorado is off a home and home series against division rival Dallas in which both teams traded 3-2 wins, the second leg was a home shootout loss. The loss dropped Colorado's record to 4-2-1 to start the season. These teams only meet twice a year but when they do, the goal lamp gets a workout.
Series History shows that 6 of the last 10 meetings has seen at least 7 goals with an average of 6.8 goals per game, with 4 of the last 5 meetings easily surpassing this total. Both of these teams are off to fantastic starts offensively. The Penguins are averaging 4.43 goals per game (3.75 on the road) while the Avs are averaging a league leading 4.43 goals per game (4.75 at home). Analytically, these are also 2 top 10 teams in expected goals for 5 on 5 (Colorado 16.91 and Pittsburgh 16.86) and the Penguins are 3rd in high danger scoring chances. Neither Power play has gotten going yet as Colorado ranks 14th and Pittsburgh ranks 20th but each unit can do damage at any time.
Can Either Team Find their Defense?
Defensively both teams are allowing 3.00 goals per game. Pittsburgh's defense was a question coming into the season and that has held true in the first two weeks of the year. Colorado has yet to find stable goaltending as Mackenzie Blackwood has struggled, evidenced by his .879 save percentage. This contest is loaded with star power as Nathan MacKinnon has collected 12 points in 7 games and Sidney Crosby is off a 2 goal performance against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night. This game should be a track meet and I can definitely see the 3+3=7 rule applying here tonight.
Be sure to check out other NHL plays from the great staff here at Betting News, as well as additional social media content.
Still Didn't Get Your Betting Fix?
Follow me on X for all my picks, analysis, and plenty more. Also, be sure to follow Betting News on 'X' and Twitch to catch us on stream! The MLB season is a grind, and we are here to make it exciting every step of the way. Betting News is also on TikTok! Follow us for more sports picks and news every day, and check out our Free Expert Picks for every major sports league.
More NHL News
NHL Betting News
Fireworks at Bell Centre: Saturday Expert Picks in the NHL
NHL Betting News
NHL Thirsty Thursday Best Bets and Props 10/15/2026
NHL Betting News
NHL Frozen Frenzy Best Bets and Props 10/13/2026
NHL Betting News
Back in Tune: Saturday Expert Picks in the NHL
Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly
Sign up for
THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER
Check Out All of Our Betting Resources at Betting News
This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.