The Colorado Avalanche (9-1-5) and Vancouver Canucks (8-8-0) square off Sunday. Puck drop from Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, is set for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Avalanche vs. Canucks odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
2024-25 season series: Canucks won 3-0
The Avalanche continued their hot streak Saturday, crushing the Edmonton Oilers 9-1 for their fourth win in 5 games. Colorado won as a -123 road favorite, while the Over (6.5) cashed. The Avs’ offense exploded, with C Jack Drury, C Parker Kelly, C Nathan MacKinnon, and D Cale Makar each netting 2 goals.
The Canucks edged out the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 Saturday night, cashing as a -105 home favorite with the Over (6.5) hitting. LW Drew O’Connor led the charge with a goal and an assist, while RW Brock Boeser, LW Jake DeBrusk, and RW Conor Garland each found the back of the net.
Avalanche at Canucks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:26 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Avalanche -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Canucks +165 (bet $100 to win $165)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche -1.5 (+125) | Canucks +1.5 (-150)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -118 | U: -102)Avalanche at Canucks projected goalies
Mackenzie Blackwood (0-0-1, 2.90 GAA, .870 SV%) vs. Kevin Lankinen (3-4-0, 3.53 GAA, .884 SV%)
The veteran Blackwood is expected to get the start Sunday, giving Scott Wedgewood a rest after his outing in Edmonton. Blackwood has made just 1 appearance this season, a 3-2 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks in which he stopped 20 of 23 shots. For his career, the veteran netminder holds a 103-103-29 record with a 2.96 GAA and a .906 SV%.
Lankinen is expected to make back-to-back starts Sunday after earning a win over the Blue Jackets, stopping 29 of 32 shots. The veteran netminder holds a 1-3-0 career record versus Colorado with a 4.08 GAA and an .887 SV%. However, he did win his most recent start against the Avalanche April 10, allowing just 1 goal on 32 shots.
Avalanche at Canucks picks and predictionsPrediction
Avalanche 3, Canucks 1
PASS.
I like Colorado (-200) to get the victory Sunday night, but not at 1-to-2 odds. I’ll take my wager to the puck line.
BET AVALANCHE -1.5 (+125).
The Avalanche are firing on all cylinders right now — just 1 regulation loss all season and a 9-1 explosion over Edmonton Saturday. They’re 5-1-3 on the road and have outscored opponents 25-12 in their last 5 wins. Makar continues to dominate, recording points in 9 straight road games, while Colorado’s offense ranks second in the league at 3.93 goals per game.
The Canucks, on the other hand, have been shaky defensively. They’ve allowed at least 4 goals in 3 of their last 4 contests and sit 29th in penalty kill percentage (69.8%) and 25th in goals against per game (3.31). Playing on the second night of a back-to-back, Vancouver’s defense will have its hands full trying to contain Colorado’s speed and scoring depth. Meanwhile, the Avalanche defense is elite, allowing a league-best 2.40 goals per game.
Colorado has been the more consistent, balanced, and dangerous team — both offensively and defensively. I’m taking the Avs to stay hot and roll past the Canucks by multiple goals.
BET UNDER 6 (-102).
The Under looks like the smart play Sunday night. Colorado’s defense has been outstanding, ranking second in penalty kill percentage (90.5%). Fatigue could play a major factor with both teams on the second night of a back-to-back. The Under has cashed in 7 of the last 10 meetings and 3 of Colorado’s last 4 games — expect another low-scoring grind.
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