Colorado Avalanche vs New Jersey Devils Predictions

Colorado’s scoring meets a difficult schedule spot

ColoradoAvalanche.com reports that the Avalanche are 5-3-1 and averaging 3.50 goals per road game. Nathan MacKinnon has six goals and 10 assists through nine games, according to NewJerseyDevils.com. That production makes Colorado the likelier winner against a 4-4-0 New Jersey team.

Colorado lost 3-2 in Philadelphia on Monday, while New Jersey hasn’t played since Saturday’s 4-2 loss at Washington. Colorado is 1-0-1 in the second game of back-to-backs this season, but two games offer little evidence that fatigue won’t matter Tuesday.

Unconfirmed goalies limit the betting case

Mackenzie Blackwood started Monday, and NewJerseyDevils.com lists Scott Wedgewood as the likely Colorado starter without confirming him. New Jersey has rotated Jake Allen and Nico Daws, but its starter also remains unconfirmed. Those questions make the total of 6.5 difficult to price, including under -125 and over +105.

All About The Jersey, an SB Nation site covering the Devils, reports that Jesper Bratt, Cody Glass and Luke Evangelista missed the previous practice, although coach Sheldon Keefe expected all three to play. Anthony Mantha could be a game-time decision, and Brenden Dillon won’t play. That uncertainty weakens the case for backing New Jersey at the same price as Colorado.

Prediction and best bet

Both teams are -110 at SportsPicksForum. Colorado’s road scoring and MacKinnon’s production support a narrow winner pick, but the back-to-back and unsettled goalie matchup leave no clear value at that price. The puck-line prices are unavailable, so the betting lean is Pass.