The Anaheim Ducks (11-3-1) and Colorado Avalanche (10-1-5) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 9:37 p.m. EST at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo. The game will be broadcast live on TNT.
The Avalanche are priced at +105 to cover the puck line (-1.5), with the over/under set at 6.5 (O -130 /U +110). The Avalanche are priced at -240 to win outright, while the red-hot Ducks are heavy underdogs at +205 to extend their winning streak to eight games.
Let's get into my Ducks vs. Avalanche predictions and NHL picks.
Ducks vs. Avalanche Odds, Pick
| Ducks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -125 | 6.5 -130o / 110u | +205 |
| Avalanche Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +105 | 6.5 -130o / 110u | -240 |
- Ducks vs. Avalanche Spread: +1.5 (-130), -1.5 (+105)
- Ducks vs. Avalanche Over/Under: 6.5 (O -130 / U -+110)
- Ducks vs. Avalanche Moneyline: Ducks +205, Avalanche -240
Ducks vs. Avalanche Preview
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks appeared to be a likely candidate to take significant steps forward this season, as their roster held numerous talented young skaters that seemed poised for breakout campaigns. On top of that, based on most indicators, former head coach Greg Cronin was one of the worst coaches in the NHL last season, and bringing in proven NHL bench boss Joel Quenneville offered a massive upgrade.
Not only have young talents such as Leo Carlsson (second overall in 2023), Bennett Sennecke (third overall in 2024) and Cutter Gauthier (fifth overall in 2022) proven why they were such high draft selections, but aging veterans Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba have both been surprisingly excellent thus far.
During the Ducks' seven-game winning streak, they hold a fairly modest 50.28% expected goal share but a strong +17 goal differential. Their underlying results are not eye-popping and they are due to come down to earth, but they have have an offensive core that is likely capable of finishing chances at a higher than average rate all season long, while Lukas Dostal is a much better than average starting goaltender.
The Ducks' current winning streak is especially impressive if you look at the teams that they have beaten. Their wins include victories over the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars on the road, a strong 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday (while playing back-to-back), a win over the New Jersey Devils, as well as two wins over the Florida Panthers.
They have scored on 17.13% of shots taken during their winning streak, a mark that is entirely unsustainable. But the Ducks' offensive core is littered with high-end playmakers and quality finishing threats, and based on his fantastic work in 2024-25, it won't be surprising if Dostal is able to continue covering up their modest defensive play.
Dostal is expected to get the start in this high-profile showdown. He holds a .908 save percentage and +9.6 GSAx rating in 12 games played this season, after finishing the 2024-25 season with a +14.3 GSAx across 54 appearances.
Colorado Avalanche
It would be interesting to dig up the last time a team has won seven straight and is still priced north of +200 to win the following matchup, and that's a real testament to just how good the Avalanche have been to start the year. After pummeling the Edmonton Oilers 9-1 in Edmonton Saturday, the Avalanche hold a league-leading +22 goal differential.
They have lost just once in regulation in their first 16 games of the season and are 4-0-2 on home ice so far.
As expected, the Avalanche have been highly productive offensively, currently ranking second in goals scored per game average, they have been the best defensive team in the league from an analytical perspective. Colorado has allowed only 2.60 xGA/60 this season, and its bottom units have done a much better job of controlling the overall run of play than we saw last season, which is a key reason it is now priced as the betting favorite to win the Stanley Cup.
Head coach Jared Bednar's side plays with a ton of pace and has strived for controlled zone entries at a higher rate than many other Cup contenders this season, who have opted to try and copy the Florida Panthers' Cup-winning recipe. It's a riskier style to play when it doesn't work, but the Avalanche have done an excellent job of creating chances off of the rush without being caught out going the other way so far this season.
Scott Wedgewood has been confirmed as the Avalanche's starting goaltender in this matchup. Wedgewood holds a .906 save percentage and +4.2 GSAx rating in 13 appearances this season.
Ducks vs. Avalanche Prediction
As those who follow me in the Action Network App would have seen, betting on this game to feature over 6.5 goals was my favorite bet based on Monday's opening prices. However, as over 6.5 goals has now moved from -110 to -130 while the Ducks have ticked up to +205, my current favorite play is backing the Ducks to win.
Yes, there are some obvious arguments that suggest the Ducks are due to come down to earth. They have finished chances off at a completely unsustainable rate, hold fairly modest underlying results, and have leaned pretty heavily upon Dostal to cover up for below-average defensive play.
Still, the Ducks have a ton of skill littered throughout each of their top three offensive units and a power play that should remain among the best in the league this season. Dostal was one of the best goaltenders in the league last season, but his level of play did not gain as much credit as it should have because his surface-level stats were fairly modest because the Ducks' defensive play was atrocious.
A game in Colorado is as tough as it gets in the NHL right now, but getting a scorching hot Ducks team at a price of +205 is still pretty appealing. It's a bet that will lose more often than not, but there does look to be value at the current price of +205 as long as Dostal starts in goal for the Ducks.
This also presents a good opportunity to once again tout what was one of my favorite futures bets of the NHL offseason in backing Joel Quenneville to win coach of the year. While the price has come down significantly to +450, it still appears more likely than that price suggests (18.2%) that Quenneville will be named coach of the year given the likelihood that the Ducks will at a minimum earn a surprising playoff berth.
Pick: Anaheim Ducks Moneyline +205 (Bet365, Play to +200), Joel Quenneville Jack Adams Winner +450 (DraftKings, Play to +400)
