Now that the NHL regular season is entering its busiest stretch, it means that Wednesday night T-Mobile Arena will come to live when the Colorado Avalanche takes on the Vegas Golden Knights. The season has just begun and both the teams will be keen to get the momentum going hence, the match is scheduled to commence at 10:00 PM ET and will be on TNT. This contest is one of the best free NHL picks of the week, thanks to a combination of history and recent events that makes it possible to predict a thrilling struggle.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Vegas Golden Knights 10/9/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | T-Mobile Arena |
| TV: | TNT |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Colorado Avalanche (1-5-0) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (3-3-0)
The Colorado Avalanche’s offensive lineup, spearheaded by Nathan MacKinnon, mirrors the tactical agility seen in teams such as the Montreal Canadiens, known for their strategic offensive plays in crucial matchups. With MacKinnon’s impressive 140-point season and the support from Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar, the Avalanche’s attack is well-poised to challenge the defensive arrangements of the Vegas Golden Knights. Their strategy will need to be sharp to exploit any gaps in the Knights’ armor, much like the Canadiens have historically done against strong defensive teams.
Conversely, the Vegas Golden Knights, led by Jack Eichel and William Karlsson, showcase an offensive prowess reminiscent of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Eichel’s ability to break through defenses and Karlsson’s knack for crucial playmaking will be essential as they face the Avalanche’s defensive lineup. The Golden Knights will need to capitalize on their offensive strategies and depth to counteract Colorado’s high-powered offense, drawing on lessons from teams like the Penguins who excel in converting defensive plays into offensive opportunities.
Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev vs. Goaltender Adin Hill
As the number one goaltender for the Avalanche, Alexandar Georgiev had a challenging season last year, saving only .897 of the shots he faced. While his season statistics suggest that he had difficulties in some areas, his past exposure to high-stress situations will come in handy in the near future as he encounters a well-rounded Golden Knights offense. How well Georgiev will be able to defend the net against a team full of good players will be critical in enabling the Avalanche to remain relevant in this contest.
As for Vegas, Adin Hill’s previous season’s save percentage was a more impressive .909. Hill’s goaltending will be vital in containing the offensive outburst of the Avalanche. His performance could prove the difference that most of the rescuers have been waiting for, as his ability to soak up pressure and make big saves will be fully tested against MacKinnon and Rantanen.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: Colorado Avalanche-1.5 (+195), Total Odds: 6.5
As per the odds for betting, there is a small advantage for the Avalanche even when looking at their struggles in the preseason because of the -1.5 puckline at +195. The total over 6.5 at -110 means that there are high expectations in regards to the number of goals likely to be notched, given the heavy arms of both offenses as well as the previous statistics which show an inclination towards overs amongst the recent totals.
Colorado Avalanche Betting Trends
The fact that the Avalanche have been involved in many high-scoring contests of late, highlights the team’s offensive capabilities over the road. However, the fact that they have not been able to turn this scoring into wins, illustrated by their negative 1-4 SU in the last five games, should be a caution to the gamblers. There is a clear trend of the over performing in their away games, which can also imply another high scoring game here.
Vegas Golden Knights Betting Trends
In the reverse, the Golden Knights have gone under in most of the recent games finding the total going UNDER in 5 of their last 6 games. This trend alongside their defensive strategies, which have just suffocated teams like Colorado in previous matches, could give some upside to the current betting lines.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Vegas Golden Knights 10/9/24 Betting Picks
The outcomes and patterns ruin the likelihood of playing aggressively with the Avalanche. There are chances of a very high scoring game but based on their relatively more steady defense which the Golden Knights show especially when at home, then they are more likely to win. Hence in this case, the most appropriate option would be to back the Vegas Golden Knights on the moneyline at +105.
Prop bets market on MacKinnon and Eichel player points gets over because both are expected to play critical minutes and have a history of high point production. As for the total, due to the inverse trends of these two teams, the over seems to be a risky yet at the same time profitable bet in accordance with one of the handicapper best picks.