NHL: Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings Prediction, Odds & Best Bets

The Colorado Avalanche (15-6-2) are on a 2-game skid coming into tonight games against the Los Angeles Kings (13-4-3). Colorado sits in 1st place of the Central Division and are coming off a shootout loss last night to the Ducks.

Although the Avs are on a back-to-back, it's not a far travel from Anaheim, so it shouldn't play a factor. If anything, they should come in a little fired up and pissed off. This is the 3rd game of a small road trip for them, but it's all been on the West Coast.

Former Norris Trophy and Conn Smythe winner Cale Makar is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, but he did play last night. Otherwise, the Avs will be fully staffed for this face off with who some would say a surprise favorite this year.

Makar is having a great year with 7 goals and 27 assists, leading the team with 34 points. He is followed by 2 more 30-point players and team leaders, Nathan Mackinnon and Mikko Rantanen. Valeri Nichushkin has been heating up as of late. He has 10 goals and 11 assists on the year.

Starting goalie Alexander Georgiev has been solid between the pipes this year. He has a 13-5-1 record with a 2.89 GAA and .897 save percentage. He is expected to be in next for tonight's game.

Los Angeles has been a pleasant surprise for the league this year. They had a solid core of players return from last year and added Pierre-Luc Dubois. He is unfortunately having a slow start to the season, but the rest of the team is cranking.

Kevin Fiala, Adrian Kempe and captain Anze Kopitar lead the offense for the Kings. Wingers Trevor Moore and Quinton Byfield have both contributed to the team's early success as well. Veteran and longtime King Drew Doughty still leads the defense for LA.

Goalie Cam Talbot has been great to start the season. In 15 games, he's 10-4-1 with a 2.02 GAA and a .928 save percentage. He ranks in the top 5 of the league for both GAA and save percentage.

One thing that doesn't help the Kings is how poorly they play at home. They're 4-4-3 at home, but they are the best road team in the league. They're still undefeated with a record of 9-0-0. Colorado will be a huge challenge for LA tonight on their home ice.

Betting Odds

Puck Line

• Colorado Avalanche +1.5 (-220)
• Los Angeles Kings -1.5 (+180)

Moneyline

• Colorado Avalanche +112
• Los Angeles Kings -134

Totals

• Over 6.5 (+100)
• Under 6.5 (-122)

Odds courtesy of MyBookie

Game Information

• Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
• Date: Sunday, December 3, 2023
• Puck Drop: 8pm EST
• TV: ALT, BSW

Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings Prediction and Picks

Prediction and Pick: Game Total Under 6.5 (-122) MyBookie

These 2 teams' matchup pretty evenly on offense and defense. Both teams force a lot of goals and shots and allow very little of each. And they both have good goaltending which is going to play a big factor.

With the Avs just playing last night, they may be a little tired, but should be ready to play. They are coming off 2 losses to teams they should have beat. Unfortunately for them, this is a much tougher task than the Yotes and the Ducks.

Expect both teams to play well on both ends of the ice and goalies standing on their heads. We're going to get a good old fashion dog fight and we're going with the under for that reason. We don't even have to pay the juice man too bad!

Player Prop: Valeri Nichushkin Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-145) MyBookie

Nichushkin is a force to be reckoned with. This guy is tough as nails as he played through their Stanley Cup run with a broken foot just 2 years ago.

He has cleared this mark in his last 2 games back-to-back and also his last 10 out of 12 games while averaging 6 shots per game. He also hit the mark in 3 of his last 5 games vs the Kings dating back to last year. In those games vs LA, he is averaging just about 6 shot attempts per game.

I like Val to stay right in the mix of things tonight. Pucks should be flying on both ends of the ice and he'll be shooting hard the Avs as they look to end this 2-game skid.

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