Vegas Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche Game 2 Prediction, NHL Playoff Odds

The Vegas Golden Knights look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead in the Western Conference Final when they battle the Colorado Avalanche in Game 2 on Friday night at Ball Arena.

The Golden Knights drew first blood in this season’s West final with a 4-2 series-opening victory on Wednesday night while also claiming home-ice advantage, and have now claimed three straight victories along with wins in four of their past five road dates.

For the Avalanche, Wednesday’s loss marked just their second defeat so far in this postseason, and put the brakes on a six-game overall win streak on home ice.

Despite losing Game 1, the Avalanche look to Game 2 as lofty -208 favourites to even the series, and also maintain a narrow edge as -115 chalk on the NHL series prices. The Golden Knight trail as +170 underdogs in Game 2, but have improved to a short -105 bet to win the series. The total in Friday night’s matchup is pegged at 6.0.

Golden Knights vs. Avalanche NHL Betting Odds

The Golden Knights struck early and often in Game 1, seizing a commanding 3-0 lead by early in the third period and hanging on for the win despite getting outshot by a wide 38-28 margin. Overall, the Golden Knights have now taken two straight from the Avs, with both those victories coming in Colorado.

In addition, Vegas now also enjoys a five-game winning streak against the Avalanche in playoff action, and has outscored Colorado by a 21-10 combined margin during that surge. However, the Golden Knights continue to trail both Colorado and Carolina on the Stanley Cup odds as a +325 bet.

Vegas Golden Knights

Once again, Carter Hart rose to the occasion in Game 1 of the West Final. The Vegas netminder turned in another Herculean effort, turning aside 36 of 38 shots, and has now made 101 saves on 106 shots for a save percentage of .953 during his three-game win streak.

Hart has also limited opponents to two or fewer goals in four of his past five road appearances, and has surrendered just three total goals in the opening frame in eight appearances since the sixth and deciding game of the club’s first-round series victory over Utah.

With Hart in a groove and the Avalanche offence running hot and cold, the Vegas netminder offers good value on the NHL player props as a -125 bet to make OVERE 28.5 saves on Friday, and is worth a flyer as a +1100 wager to record a shutout.

The Golden Knights also benefited from contributions from their role players in Game 1. Brett Howden maintained his torrid postseason pace with his ninth goal of the playoffs and his second game-winner in as many outings, while Pavel Dorofeyev potted his 10th marker of the playoffs and his sixth goal during a four-game scoring streak.

Colorado Avalanche

For a fourth straight game, the Avalanche failed to find the back of the net in the first period, and have potted just three total goals during the first 40 minutes of those four contests. Nathan MacKinnon has remained the club’s most productive shooter. With an assist in Game 1, MacKinnon has now cracked the scoresheet in seven straight games, scoring seven times and compiling six power play points during that streak.

Gabriel Landeskog has also enjoyed a renaissance of sorts. Landeskog snapped a two-game drought with a goal on Wednesday, and has scored three times in five home appearances. But while the club has received contributions from up and down the lineup, they have not received a breakout performance. Adding to their concerns is the uncertain status of star defenceman Cale Makar, who missed Game 1 with unspecified injury.