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Sports Interaction Staff
Coyotes vs. Avalanche Game 1 Prediction, Stanley Cup Playoff Odds
Puck drop for Game 1 of the best-of-7 playoff series is set for 5:30 p.m. ET from the Edmonton hub.
This is only the second time these teams have ever faced off in the playoffs. The only other series was the 2000 Western Conference Quarterfinals, which the Avalanche won in five games.
Coyotes vs. Avalanche Betting Analysis
These teams have only met twice this season, a 3-2 overtime win for the Avalanche on October 12 and a 3-0 Coyotes win on November 2.
The Avalanche are the consensus favourites in the series. Game 1 has the ‘Avs at -175 on the hockey odds with the Coyotes at +145. The total for Game 1 is 5.5 goals with the under favoured at -115.
Arizona Coyotes
Some might see everything else in the playoffs as gravy for the Coyotes after they upset No. 6 Nashville as the No. 11 seed in the qualifying round, but the ‘Yotes won’t be satisfied with that. This will be their first playoff appearance since 2012 and with the way Darcy Kuemper is playing, anything is possible. Kuemper put up a 2.77 GAA and a .933 SV in the qualifying series, only allowing 11 goals on 163 shots faced, including 49 saves in a Game 4 overtime win to clinch the series.
The ‘Yotes have plenty of weapons up front too. After his trade from New Jersey in December, Taylor Hall recorded 27 points in 35 games for his new club. Hall added one goal and three assists in the qualifying round and led all Coyotes forwards in ice time, averaging 19:38 per game. Two-time Stanley Cup winner Phil “The Thrill” Kessel and Clayton Keller also chipped in four points during the series, which saw 11 different Coyotes players record at least one goal.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche lost out on top seed in the Western Conference after an overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in the final qualifying round-robin game for both teams, but they’re a strong offense-driven team firing on all cylinders. Hart nominee Nathan Mackinnon is poised to break out after recording three points in three qualifying games. With the ‘Avs decimated with injuries before the season break, Mackinnon’s 93 points (35G, 58A) in 69 games was 43 points more than the next closest Avalanche player, Calder nominee Cale Makar (12G, 38A).
Even though Pavel Francouz was perfect in the Avalanche’s 4-0 win over Dallas in the qualifying round, Philipp Grubauer should get the start on seniority. In two qualifying games, Grubauer made 53 saves on 58 shots faced for a .914 SV. The ‘Avs are finally healthy and deserve to be the clear favourite in this series.
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