The Carolina Hurricanes (5-1-0) and Colorado Avalanche (5-0-2) meet Thursday. Puck drop from Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, 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.
2024-25 regular-season series: Split 1-1
These teams will each wear throwback sweaters representing the locations where their franchises used to play. The Hurricanes will wear Hartford Whalers sweaters, while the Avalanche will wear Quebec Nordiques sweaters.
The Canes lost 4-1 as underdogs (-105) at the Vegas Golden Knights last time out Monday, their first setback of the season. Carolina had scored 4 or more goals in the first 5 games, all victories, while allowing 3 or fewer goals in each outing. G Frederik Andersen allowed 3 goals on 25 shots in the loss.
The Avalanche have yet to lose in regulation. However, they are coming off a 4-3 overtime loss at the Utah Mammoth Tuesday as the Over (6) cashed, snapping a 3-game Under run. Former Canes C Jack Drury and F Martin Necas scored even-strength goals in the third period in Utah to force OT.
The Avalanche won 6-4 as short ‘dogs (+110) Nov. 9, 2024, in the only meeting in Denver last season, while the Over (6.5) easily cashed. The home team has won each of the past 4 meetings in this series since Oct. 21, 2023, with the favorite going 3-1 and the Over going 4-0.
Hurricanes at Avalanche odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:24 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Hurricanes +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Avalanche -135 (bet $135 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Hurricanes +1.5 (-220) | Avalanche -1.5 (+180)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -110 | U: -110)Hurricanes at Avalanche projected goalies
Frederik Andersen (3-1-0, 2.46 GAA, .894 SV%) vs. Scott Wedgewood (5-0-2, 1.84 GAA, .927 SV%)
Andersen coughed up 3 goals on 25 shots in the loss to VGK last time out, snapping a 3-game win streak. He has allowed at least 3 goals in 3 of his 4 outings. He has made between 19 and 23 saves in each of his 4 starts, as the defense in front of him has done a good job limiting the amount of pucks he faces.
Wedgewood has started all 7 games, as starter Mackenzie Blackwood has been sidelined with a lower-body injury. The latest report indicates that Blackwood is considered week-to-week, so it appears Wedgewood will continue to man the crease for the time being. He has allowed 1 goal in each of his 5 victories and 4 in each of his losses (a shootout loss Oct. 11 against the Dallas Stars and an overtime loss at Utah Tuesday).
Hurricanes at Avalanche picks and predictionsPrediction
Avalanche 5, Hurricanes 3
The AVALANCHE (-135) are worth playing against the Hurricanes in this marquee matchup Thursday night.
Carolina continues its 2-week road odyssey, which has become a tradition at this point. The team starts out with a game or 2 at home, then embarks on a long road trip each season because the North Carolina State Fair is in town — and for traffic purposes, the Canes are sent away, NC State doesn’t have home football games, etc.
The Canes generally start the road trip well, but by the time it turns and they begin the journey home after more than a week on the road, Carolina is running on fumes. We might be seeing signs of that starting.
The AVALANCHE -1.5 (+180) are worth a roll of the dice for the chance to nearly double up.
The Avalanche have won 5 times, and 4 of those victories have been by 2 or more goals. The Hurricanes lost their last game to the Golden Knights by 3 goals. If you like Colorado, you should like it to get it done by 2 or more goals.
OVER 6 (-110) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at best.
We could get a shootout, but we’ll be going against the trends. The Under is 3-1 in the past 4 games and 5-2 in 7 games for Colorado. For Carolina, the total has gone low in 3 of the past 4 outings. However, the Over is 4-0 in the past 4 meetings in this series.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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