The Colorado Avalanche have turned it all the way up with six straight wins but have a big test tonight at home vs. the revamped New Jersey Devils and sit as slim -115 home favorites.
The Devils won’t have new winger Timo Meier, are traveling to altitude, and take on a Colorado team that has taken 15 of a possible 16 points over its last eight games including six games as a dog. So why is the market moving towards the visitors?
Find out in my best NHL picks and predictions for Devils vs. Avalanche below.
Devils vs Avalanche best odds
Devils vs Avalanche picks and predictions
Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar has been leaning on J.T. Compher of late and the results have been successful. The second-line center is averaging 21 minutes of ice time over his last 14 games and has been promoted to centering Mikko Rantanen and Evan Rodriguez as well as taking the draws on the No. 1 power-play unit.
Because of these advantageous opportunities, Compher has piled up nine points over his last five games and will see another 20+ minutes tonight. He'll oppose a New Jersey Devils team kicking off a three-game road trip and coming off a very easy 7-0 win over the Flyers on Saturday.
Compher will play his 5-on-5 minutes with a winger who has a 1.5-point total in Rantanen and will get plenty of touches on the top power-play unit that ranks in the Top 10 in success rate at home.
With Compher’s role growing on a team that is finally playing to its potential despite not having Cale Makar, this price is going to get shorter in the coming games.
However, if the books are going to give us -118 odds for a single point with Compher’s role and opportunities, it’s a blind Over bet until the price falls to -135.
My best bet: J.T. Compher Over 0.5 points (-118)
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Devils vs Avalanche moneyline analysis
Despite all the injuries this season, the Avs are still the favorites to come out of the West and have the second-shortest odds to win the Stanley Cup.
They’re currently without captain Gabriel Landeskog and Norris winner Cale Makar, but that hasn’t slowed them down as they’ve won six in a row and have taken 15 of a possible 16 points over their last eight.
It hasn’t been an easy schedule either as they’ve been an underdog in six of those games and closed with an average moneyline price of -104. This is their best stretch of hockey this season and even without Makar, they’ve welcomed back Josh Manson and Bowen Byram, both of whom have helped mitigate the loss of the best defenseman in hockey.
Colorado's -115 moneyline price indicates that the Devils would be a slight favorite on neutral ice which I’m not sure I agree with — especially without Timo Meier who’s dealing with an upper-body injury. This line has moved from -140 to -115 mostly on Makar not returning to the lineup but also because the Avs are likely going with backup goalie Justus Annunen.
Annunen is making just his second start of the season but that game — back on February 18 — was a 19-save performance in a 4-1 win over the Blues. The move from Georgiev to Annunen might not be worth the 25-point swing we're seeing and getting the Avs at -115 at home despite the goaltender is tempting.
The Devils are chasing for the lead in the Metro and come into tonight having won seven of their last 10 while also amassing a 16-7 SU record since January 1 with a +1.04 goal differential per game. They’re one of the best in hockey but let’s not discount the Avs who are 15-8 SU over that same stretch with a better goal differential. Colorado also did that with significant injuries.
New Jersey goalie Vitek Vanacek is 12-1-1 since January 1, but his peripherals aren’t elite with a .917 SV% and a 2.36 GAA over that stretch.
These are two even teams and with the altitude advantage, I have Colorado as getting more than 25 points for a home-ice advantage making -115 a little long despite Annunen. The Avalanche have been stacking wins vs. tough opponents of late and I have them as -130 favorites in this spot without Meier.
Devils vs Avalanche Over/Under analysis
This total opened at 6 and has seen a slight move to the Over thanks to the starting goaltending for the Avs. Neither team has been profitable to the Over this season as Colorado has been one of the better Under teams at 20-34-4 O/U on the season.
The Avs have the sixth-best GAA at home and see an average of 5.93 total goals per game at Ball Arena. They have just one Over during their six-game winning streak while Georgiev is coming off a 31-save home shutout vs. the Golden Knights and has allowed just two goals over his last three games where the team hasn't allowed more than 31 shots.
The New Jersey road offense is one of the best in hockey and sits third at 3.82 goals per game, but tonight is going to have some playoff vibes as both teams have a lot to play for. The Devils only sit three points out of first place in the Metro and facing the reigning champs will create a much tougher game environment than their 7-0 win in Philly on Sunday.
I have no real leans on this total as both teams can play low-scoring affairs but also boast elite top-six scoring.
Devils vs Avalanche betting trend to know
The Devils are 2-12-1 in the last 15 meetings in Colorado. Find more NHL betting trends for Devils vs Avalanche.
Devils vs Avalanche game info
| Location: | Ball Arena, Denver, CO |
| Date: | Wednesday, March 1, 2023 |
| Puck drop: | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | MSGSN, Altitude |
