Both the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche have their eyes on the top seed in the Western Conference as they face off in the final NHL playoffs seeding game in Edmonton. The Avalanche scored with 0.1 seconds left in their opener against St. Louis then rolled through Dallas to win its first two games. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights scored five times to ease past the Stars, leaving them a chance to tie the Avalanche atop the Western Conference with a regulation victory.
Both of these teams can score in bunches, and with the top seed on the line, this has a chance of turning into a shootout. Vegas already scored five goals in its first game against Dallas, and Colorado put four past the Stars when they met. The Avalanche already scored 13 goals against Vegas in two games against the Golden Knights this year, but this game has a feeling of a 4-2 contest where Colorado maybe adds an empty-net goal late to secure it. With the odds on the over and under the exact same, I’d lean towards the over. OVER 5.5 GOALS (-110) The NHL betting sites in New Jersey really believe this game is even between the two sides because they are both listed at the same -110 on the moneyline. So you’ll need to bet on the game ending in 60 minutes to make some money, and that’s where it helps to bet on Colorado. The Avalanche are a young, hungry team with dreams of a long run through the NHL playoffs, and they have shown that passion in the first two games of the round robin. That focus continues as Colorado sends a message to its first-round opponent with a statement game to clinch the top seed. COLORADO AVALANCE TO WIN IN REGULATION (+140)
Head to Head Colorado obliterated Vegas in both matchups these two teams played this season. Both of those games came in Las Vegas, and the Avalanche won the first contest 6-1 and the second 7-3. Stats The Avalanche have won five of eight games all-time against the Golden Knights Vegas was without leading scorer Max Pacioretty for its first game in the bubble, and coach Peter DeBoer has been mum on when the forward will return to the lineup. Pacioretty scored 32 goals and had 66 points this season for the Golden Knights. Four of Colorado’s six goals in the bubble have come from players who the Avalanche acquired either last offseason or at the trade deadline. The other two came from Ryan Graves in his second full season and Cale Makar in his first. The Golden Knights will likely start Robin Lehner against the Avalanche, which might be a good thing. Marc-Andre Fleury allowed 11 goals on 64 shots for a .828 save percentage this season against Colorado.
Colorado Avalanche to win After scoring the game-winner against St. Louis in the final second, Colorado rolled through Dallas with ease on Wednesday. The Avalanche are in prime position to capture the top seed in the Western Conference and they won’t let that chance slip away Saturday.
