The Nashville Predators visit the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night, with puck drop set for 9:30 p.m. ET at Ball Arena. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Colorado is a -218 favorite on the Moneyline, while the total is set at O/U 6.5 goals.
Below, I’ll break down the matchup and provide my top Avalanche vs. Predators prediction and best bet.
Avalanche vs. Predators Odds
| Market | Nashville Predators | Colorado Avalanche |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | +180 | -218 |
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-142) | -1.5 (+120) |
| Total | Over 6.5 (-102) | Under 6.5 (-118) |
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook and subject to change.
Avalanche vs. Predators Betting Preview
Colorado Avalanche Outlook
Mackenzie Blackwood allowed three goals on 15 shots in relief of Scott Wedgewood in Tuesday’s 7-2 loss in Columbus, but he will start tonight with an .894 SV% and 2.80 GAA. His -1.6 GSAx ranks 52nd among 74 goaltenders, while his -0.26% SV% above expected ranks 39th, and Colorado has allowed 52 goals on 44.3 xGoals overall, with an .881 team SV% that ranks 21st.
The Avalanche have more than made up for it by tying for the league lead with 4.12 goals per game while ranking fifth in 5v5 xGoals per 60 (2.85), and they’ve scored an absurd 51 goals on 37.2 xGoals at 5v5. Artturi Lehkonen leads the team with 12 goals and has scored 5.5 more than expected, while Nathan MacKinnon leads with 27 points. Colorado is 6-1-1 at home, and it’s been no stranger to high-scoring affairs, with 12 of its 16 games clearing 6.5 goals.
Nashville Predators Outlook
Nashville allows 2.73 xGoals per 60 at 5v5 (27th), but it has generated the third-most high-danger shots in the league over its past 10 games (34). The special teams have been elite on both sides, with the power play converting at 30.6% (fourth) and the penalty kill ranking third at 89.4%. Steven Stamkos leads the team with eight goals on 5.7 xGoals, while Filip Forsberg leads with 19 points.
Juuse Saros is the expected starter after allowing just one goal on 30 shots in Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Carolina, and he sports a .908 SV% and 2.77 GAA. His +5.2 GSAx ranks ninth, while his +0.74% SV% above expected ranks 17th. Nashville also handed Colorado a 6-2 loss on Oct. 25, but the Avalanche had Scott Wedgewood between the pipes that night, and he allowed six goals on 35 shots.
Avalanche vs. Predators Prediction and Best Bet
Twelve of the Avalanche’s 16 games have gone over 6.5 goals, the Oct. 25 meeting featured eight goals, and three of the past five meetings between these teams have cleared this number. Saros and Nashville’s penalty kill could pose some problems, but with Colorado’s goaltending still struggling and the Predators creating a ton of high-danger looks lately, I’ll take the over.
Best Bet: Over 6.5 Goals (-102)
Advanced stats courtesy of MoneyPuck.
