Vegas Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche Game 1 Prediction, NHL Western Conference Final Odds
The NHL Western Conference Final gets underway on Wednesday night as the Colorado Avalanche play host to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 at Ball Arena.
The Avalanche have maintained the dominance that vaulted them to the top of the NHL standings during the regular season while going 8-1 in the first two rounds of the NHL playoffs including a sweep of the Los Angles Kings followed by a five-game second-round win over the Minnesota Wild.
The Golden Knights get set to make their fourth all-time appearance in the NHL’s final four after getting past the Anaheim Ducks in six games in the second round, and have compiled an 8-4 record so far in this year’s postseason.
The Avalanche get set to hit the ice as -190 favourites on the Game 1 odds, and are also pegged as heavy -278 on the NHL series prices.
The Golden Knight trail as +155 underdogs in Game 1, and lag as a +220 bet to claim their third ever berth in the Stanley Cup Final. The total in Wednesday night’s matchup is pegged at 6.5.
Golden Knights vs. Avalanche NHL Betting Odds
These divisional champs met three times during the regular season with the Golden Knights claiming a pair of victories, both on home ice, and have now topped the Avalanche in four of five overall clashes.
These clubs have also met previously in the Stanley Cup playoffs on one occasion with the Golden Knights eliminating the Avalanche in six games in the second round of the 2021 postseason following a campaign shortened by COVID-19.
However, it is the Avalanche that enjoy the more torrid pace entering the conference finals, posting wins in 13 of their past 15 overall, and tallying six straight wins on home ice.
Overall, the Golden Knights have won 15 of 20, but have lost three of their past five road contests, and open the series lagging as a +575 bet on the Stanley Cup odds, while the Avs lead the way as +135 chalk.
Vegas Golden Knights
Since spotting Utah an early 2-1 series advantage in the first round, the Golden Knights have rediscovered their scoring touch, averaging four goals per game over their past nine contests while scoring 5+ goals on five occasions. They have been particularly effective on the road over that stretch, burying 4.80 goals per game.
Mitch Marner has played a huge role in the club’s postseason success. The former Toronto Maple Leafs whipping boy leads the squad with 18 points including seven goals, and has turned in multi-point performances in five of his past seven outings.
Marner has also piled up 13 points during a five-game points streak on the road, and sports attractive +180 odds on the NHL player props to enjoy another multi-point night on Wednesday.
Jack Eichel has put his playmaking skills on display with a team-high 15 assists while Pavel Dorofeyev is tops on the team with nine goals, including five markers during his current three-game scoring streak.
Colorado Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon has provided the spark for the Avs while setting team highs with seven goals and 13 points. The product of Cole Harbour, NS was particularly hot on home ice during the second round, tallying three markers and adding four helpers in three games, and enjoyed steady success against Vegas this season with a goal and three assists in three appearances.
After enjoying a career-best 100-point campaign during the regular season, Martin Necas has continued to contribute during the playoffs with a team-high 10 assists. However, a top-to-bottom team effort has helped to lift the Avalanche back to the Western Conference Final for the first time since their Stanley Cup victory in 2022, with 16 different Colorado skaters finding the back of the net so far in these playoffs.
That impressive depth was on display in the club’s comeback victory to clinch their series win over Minnesota in Game 5, with Parker Kelly and Brett Kulak both providing timely scoring and multi-point performances to seal the win.
VEG
COL