Avalanche vs Canucks Picks, Predictions, and Odds Tonight

Colorado is 0-2 against Vancouver this season but are winners of three straight and should be able to get the best of a struggling Canucks squad on Friday night. Read why in our Avalanche vs. Canucks betting picks.

The Colorado Avalanche and Vancouver Canucks are set to square off at Rogers Arena on Friday night.

It’s the third and final meeting of the regular season, and Colorado might be relieved about that fact. Vancouver won the first meeting in Denver by a 4-3 score on November 23, and the Canucks won the previous meeting at home by a 4-2 count earlier this month.

The Canucks haven’t had a lot of success since, however, as Vancouver enters this tilt with just two wins in its previous 10 contests. Meanwhile, the Avalanche have been heating up a bit as winners of three straight. 

Can the Canucks maintain their mastery over the defending champs, or will the Avalanche finally get in the win column against Vancouver? We’ll discuss in our free NHL picks and predictions for Avalanche vs. Canucks on January 20.

Avalanche vs Canucks best odds

Avalanche vs Canucks picks and predictions

It’s a little hard to believe, but Colorado will be looking to tie a season-high in consecutive wins with just four on Friday night. 

Facing the Canucks will be a surprisingly difficult challenge, as Colorado has yet to find the combination to solve Vancouver this season in two previous meetings.

The Avalanche have been shockingly toothless on offense this season, posting so-so numbers on the power play at a 24.0% conversion rate. At even strength, Colorado has averaged just 3.0 goals per game, which ranks just 22nd in the league. 

Lately, its scoring output has improved dramatically, producing an average of 5.7 goals per game across the span of its last three games. 

The Canucks toppled the Avalanche back on January 5 as they doubled up the defending champs at home, but they're just 1-5 since that win. 

Vancouver seems to play better against the upper-echelon teams, but its defense and goaltending have been atrocious all season. Despite the dominance of the Canucks in this series lately, I'm still backing the Avalanche as moderate favorites in the regular-season finale between the two sides.

My best bet: Avalanche moneyline (-155 at BetMGM)

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Avalanche vs Canucks moneyline analysis

The Avalanche have won the past three outings by a combined score of 17-4, covering the puck line twice as a favorite during the span while also winning outright as an underdog last time out in Calgary.

In fact, during the impressive three-game winning streak, Colorado has won by at least three goals with an average margin of victory of 4.33 goals per contest. That’s great news for potential puck-line bettors, and you’ll get a solid price based on Colorado’s previous failures against Vancouver. 

Vancouver is just 1-5 in its previous six games against Central Division opponents and 1-4 in its last five against teams with a winning record. With the Avalanche playing well and the Canucks slumping, a play on the puck line laying -1.5 (+144 at FanDuel) is warranted.

Consider rolling the dice on the alternate puck line up to -2.5 as well, especially considering Colorado has won its last three matches by at least three goals each time.

Avalanche vs Canucks Over/Under analysis

Colorado has cashed the Under at a 20-9-2 pace across the past 31 games overall, but a lot of those Unders are due to poor offensive performance. There is a pause for concern with the Avalanche's offensive surge lately, but the Under is still 3-0-1 in their past four on the road and 4-0-1 in their last five when facing Western Conference foes.

And while the Canucks have hit the Over at a 3-0-3 pace in the past six skates on home ice, the Under is 4-1-2 in the past seven tries against Central Division teams.

Vancouver is always a dangerous team to play when considering an Under. The Canucks have been surprisingly effective on offense, scoring 3.4 goals per game (No. 8 in the NHL) while allowing an average of 3.9, which ranks second worst. 

To make matters worse for the Canucks, they possess the league's worst penalty kill (66.7%), which is great news for Colorado side bettors. The best course of action is to shy away from a total play and put more on Colorado to win this one, whether it be outright or on the puck line.

Avalanche vs Canucks betting trend to know

Colorado is 4-1 in its past five games when playing with a day of rest, while Vancouver is 1-6 in its past seven with the prior night off. Find more NHL betting trends for Avalanche vs Canucks.