The Colorado Avalanche still remain the best team in the league as they head into Los Angeles to take on the Kings tonight in this possible playoff matchup. After losing two straight games on the road, the Avalanche came back home to shut out the Calgary Flames on Sunday. The Kings won their last game at home in a shootout against a very hot Florida Panthers team on Sunday as they look to have another upset tonight. It’s time to continue our NHL odds series with an Avalanche-Kings prediction and pick.
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Here are the Avalanche-Kings NHL Odds, Courtesy of FanDuel
NHL Odds: Avalanche-Kings Odds
Colorado Avalanche: -1.5 (+112) (-205 ML)
Los Angeles Kings: +1.5 (-140) (+168 ML)
Over: 6 (-120)
Under: 6 (-102)
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Why The Avalanche Can Cover The Spread/Win
The Colorado Avalanche continue to be the best team in the league with 89 points and proved it against the other western conference leader in the Flames on Sunday. The Avs just made a great deal for defender Josh Manson on Monday after acquiring him from the Ducks in exchange for a prospect and a future 2023 pick. Manson will look to slide right into the middle of the lineup for his debut while he covers for an injured Samuel Girard. Another big injury for the Avs is captain Gabriel Landeskog, who is out indefinitely after needing surgery on his knee. The injury gives a chance for the smaller names on the team to step up in a big way, which is what they’ve been doing all season long.
The Avs have not confirmed a starting goaltender for tonight yet, but should they rest starter Darcy Kuemper, backup Pavel Francouz will get the start for them as he just extended his contract with Colorado for another three years. Fancouz has been playing pretty well in the backup role, almost to the point of becoming a starter, with a .920 save percentage and allowing 2.46 goals against per game. He’ll look to keep the Avalanche in it tonight against an up and down Kings team.
Why The Kings Can Cover The Spread/Win
The Los Angeles Kings enter this game after holding off a powerhouse Panthers team on Sunday to beat them in a 3-2 shootout win. They will look to do it again as they go up against yet another extremely difficult team to beat in the Avalanche tonight. Without Drew Doughty or Matt Roy on the back end, it’s an understatement to say that the Kings have their work cut out for them. Starting in net tonight for the Kings should be star goaltender Jonathan Quick, and he’s representing a .908 save percentage and allowing 2.69 goals per game on the year so far.
The Kings still have a decent offense as they had to have gotten to second in the Pacific Division for a reason, but their defense is the issue, and they’ll have to play the games of their lives tonight against an explosive Avalanche offense.
Final Avalanche-Kings Prediction & Pick
Even though there are big injuries on both sides of the ice tonight, the Avalanche have much better depth than the Kings and will have no problem allowing those depth players to step up and make big moves. The Kings hung in well against the Panthers, but I doubt they can replicate it again tonight. I think the Avs come out buzzing here tonight and really put a depleted Kings defense on their heels. Give me the Avalanche to cover the -1.5 spread tonight. If you’re like me and feel uncomfortable about taking favored spreads in hockey, look into the 3-Way Moneyline bet tonight, making them win in regulation, just to get some better odds.
Final Avalanche-Kings Prediction and Pick: Avalanche -1.5 (+112)