New Jersey Devils vs Colorado Avalanche Predictions & Odds

New Jersey Devils vs Colorado Avalanche Predictions

The New Jersey Devils will travel to Denver to face the Colorado Avalanche for the first time this season. The Devils are in second place in the Metropolitan Division with 83 points. They have a comfortable six-point lead over the New York Rangers and are only three points out of first place. A win today could push them closer to that spot. Their opponents, the Avalanche, are in second place in the Central Division with 73 points. A loss could drop them to third, but a win could push them to first.

The Devils are having a surprisingly strong season. They have an electric offense and score over 3.5 goals per game. They also have one of the NHL’s best netminders in Vitek Vanecek and a handful of quality defensemen. They are performing at quite a high level and have not gone on a losing streak since December. New Jersey needs to improve just a little bit, but if they do, they can win it all.

The Devils are led by Jack Hughes but have a few other scorers in Dougie Hamilton, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Dawson Mercer. These five all have different amounts of goals but are still dangerous shooters.

Vitek Vanecek will likely get the start in net for the Devils. Vanecek is having an incredible season and comes into this game with a 25-6-3 record. He also has a 2.37 goals-against average, the seventh-lowest in the NHL. When Vanecek is in net, the Devils have a chance to win.

The Avalanche had a slow start but have turned a corner in the past two months. They are surging at the moment and on a six-game winning streak. With that being said, they could still use some improvement on the offensive end. While their defense is consistent, their offense is mediocre. The Avalanche must trade for another scorer or two before the Trade Deadline passes.

The Avalanche may have an average offense, but they have some fantastic players in Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. There are other players I could name, but these two lead the pack.  They each have 71 points and play over 22 minutes a game.

Alexander Georgiev and Justus Annunen are the two active Avalanche goalies. Georgiev is the starter but has played in the last four games. He may get the start, but Annunen also be tapped to play. Annunen has only played one game this season. He performed well in that matchup, but the Avalanche will have a better chance with Georgiev in net.

The Avalanche may be worse on paper, but they are playing dramatically better hockey than the Devils. This game will be close, but Colorado will win. Bet on the Avalanche.

Why Might the New Jersey Devils Win?

The Devils are the underdogs but will win if they pass to Jack Hughes and play tough defense.

The Devils are witnessing an impressive season from Jack Hughes. Hughes has a team-leading 36 goals and 74 points. However, Hughes’ success is largely hinged upon his teammates. If his teammates pass him the puck, he can score, but if they do not, he will have a quiet game.

The Devils are a stronger offensive team, but the Avalanche are averaging 4.2 goals per game over their previous five games. The Devils’ defensemen have to slow down this Avalanche defense, or they will be in for a long night.

Why Might the Colorado Avalanche Win?

The Avalanche are the favorites but can improve their chances by drawing penalties and making the extra pass.

The Avalanche have a solid power play unit and convert 23% of their opportunities. That puts them in the top ten in the NHL. This unit is good, but they can only score if they get on the ice. Colorado must draw penalties and give their power play unit opportunities.

The Avalanche’s offense has been unstoppable lately, but they can always get better. If they  increase their passing output and make the extra pass, they will get better scoring opportunities and put more pucks in the back of the net.

Nico Hischier has been a key piece for the Devils this season. He has 55 points (25 goals, 30 assists) and plays over 19 minutes a game. The center is also coming off a one-goal, one-assist game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Hischier must take the momentum from his previous game and continue performing at a high level. If he plays up to his potential, he will score at least once.

Avalanche Key Player: (D) Devin Toews

Devin Toews is not a conventional choice for key player, but I will explain why I picked him. Toews has the second-highest TOI on the Avalanche (25:31) after Cale Makar. That may lead some to wonder why I did not choose Cale Makar. Unfortunately, Makar is injured and will likely miss this game. In Makar’s absence, Devin Toews becomes the top defenseman.

Toews must lead this defense against a tough Devils’ offense and must set the tone early.