The Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche meet in Game 1 of the NHL Western Conference Finals tonight. Puck drop is set for 8:00 p.m. EDT at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
The Avalanche are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6.5 (-100o / -120u). The Avalanche are a -190 favorite to win outright, while the Golden Knights are +155 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Golden Knights vs. Avalanche predictions and NHL picks.
Golden Knights vs. Avalanche Odds, Pick
| Golden Knights Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -161 | 6.5 -100o / -120u | +155 |
| Avalanche Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +135 | 6.5 -100o / -120u | -190 |
- Golden Knights vs. Avalanche Spread: Avalanche -1.5 (+135 ), Golden Knights +1.5 (-161)
- Golden Knights vs. Avalanche Over/Under: 6.5 (-100o / -120u)
- Golden Knights vs. Avalanche Moneyline: Golden Knights +155, Avalanche -190
Golden Knights vs Avalanche Kalshi Odds
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Golden Knights vs. Avalanche Preview
Vegas Golden Knights
Despite winning the series against the Ducks 4-2, I think many were surprised at how competitive it was. Anaheim proved that it could step right in with the big dogs.
It’s no slight on the Golden Knights, because they were never the problem.
Even before they fired Bruce Cassidy to bring in John Tortorella, Vegas was playing quality 5-on-5 hockey; it was just the goaltending that was bringing it down.
Carter Hart returned from injury shortly before the playoffs, and that was a major game-changer. Hart’s return turned the Knights from a team that may have choked this season to a surefire contender.
In these playoffs, he’s turned into a total iceman, showcasing exceptional lateral movement and tracking pucks at an elite level. In 12 games, he’s played to a .917 SV% and a 4.2 GSAx, which is eons better than what Akira Schmid or Adin Hill have done all season long.
Their defense has held Hart out to dry quite a bit, since they’re playing to a second-worst 25.09 xGA, but the offense has held on strong with a 50.66 xGF%.
Colorado Avalanche
I truly wonder how this week-long break will have done for the Avalanche.
I’m a big believer in momentum, and I think the Knights have had the perfect amount of time to recuperate. Meanwhile, the Avs have been sitting on their hands.
Though it wasn’t all bad, as it helped get Cale Makar to suit up. There was serious doubt about his status after leaving mid-game in Game 5 against the Wild last round, but it’s looking like we’ll see him.
Colorado is a tremendously disciplined team, as it’s the least penalized team out of the teams that are still alive. Both Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas have dominated in these playoffs as well.
Necas, who’s typically known for his goal scoring, has been a playmaking machine with a goal and 10 assists, and MacKinnon, who leads the team in scoring, has come up in the clutch multiple times in the playoffs.
From the looks of it, it looks like Scott Wedgewood will be Colorado’s netminder to start the Western Conference Final. Between him and Mackenzie Blackwood, the Avs have had a two-headed monster in net.
But for Wedgewood, he’s played to a solid .914 SV% and a 2.0 GSAx and clearly has been Colorado’s number one goalie.
Golden Knights vs. Avalanche Prediction
Both of these teams are coming in with a decent amount of rest, and sometimes too much rest could indicate that we may see some sluggishness to start.
That’s why I’m betting on the under in the first 10 minutes of play, and I’m loving the +130 price that DraftKings is offering.
I’ve been encouraged by both netminders in the playoffs, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they come out of the gate taking over play.
Which is why I’m expecting Game 1 to kick off as a feeling-out process between both teams before the series starts to ramp up.
Pick: Under 0.5 in First 10 Minutes
