The Carolina Hurricanes (10-2-0) meet the Colorado Avalanche (6-8-0) Saturday at Ball Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Hurricanes vs. Avalanche odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Tied 1-1 in 2023-24
The Hurricanes steam into the Mile High with 8 consecutive victories, outscoring the opposition 38-17. The winning ways have been mostly behind G Pyotr Kochetkov, as G Frederik Andersen is sidelined yet again due to injury. For Carolina, C Martin Necas has been blistering hot, going for 6 goals and 18 points with a plus-11 rating in the 8-game winning streak.
The Avalanche haven’t been doing nearly as well. They’re coming off a heartbreaking 1-0 loss against the Winnipeg Jets on the road, and Colorado has dropped 4 of the past 5 outings, scoring 2 or fewer goals in each of those losses. Still, the Over is 5-1 in the past 6 games, with Colorado goalies allowed 4 or more goals in 4 of the outings.
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Hurricanes at Avalanche odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 12:45 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Hurricanes -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Avalanche +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Hurricanes -1.5 (+185) | Avalanche +1.5 (-225)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Hurricanes at Avalanche projected goalies
Pyotr Kochetkov (7-1-0, 2.51 GAA, .896 SV%) vs. Alexandar Georgiev (1-5-0, 4.05 GAA, .847 SV%)
Kochetkov has won 6 consecutive starts since Oct. 24 in Calgary, with his only loss coming Oct. 19 in St. Louis when he allowed 4 goals on just 19 shots. He was super in Thursday’s 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, allowing just a single goal on 36 shots.
For Georgiev, he was much better last time out. He allowed just a single goal on 28 shots in the 1-0 setback in Winnipeg. Before that, the Bulgarian netminder had allowed at least 3 goals in each of his first 6 appearances.
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Hurricanes at Avalanche picks and predictions
Prediction
Hurricanes 4, Avalanche 2
Moneyline
The HURRICANES (-130) are an attractive play on the road as moderate favorites. Carolina has been playing at a high level, and until somebody shuts down its offense, you have to keep rolling with the Canes.
The Avalanche (+110) would normally be a slam-dunk play, especially as short ‘dogs at home, but something is just missing this season. Namely, it’s been good goaltending, which has been few and far between.
Puck line/Against the spread
If you’re a little more adventurous, forget about the moneyline and go with HURRICANES -1.5 (+185) for the chance to nearly double up.
During Carolina’s 8-game winning streak it has won by 2 or more goals in 4 straight outings, and 6 of the past 7 contests.
On the flip side, the Avalanche +1.5 (-225) have lost by 2 or more goals in 3 of the past 5 outings.
Over/Under
UNDER 6.5 (-105) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at best.
With Georgiev, going Under is a risky play, but he did look pretty sharp in Winnipeg against an equally hot Jets team. Hopefully he can carry over the momentum to this one.
The Under is 2-1 in the past 3 Games for Carolina and 7-4-1 in 12 Games this season. On the road, the Under is 4-2 on the season, including a 3-1 mark in the previous 4 skates away from home.
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