The battle between the Western Conference's two best teams began with a bang, at least on one side.
The Colorado Avalanche dominated the Vegas Golden Knights in a 7-1 thrashing in Game 1, cruising to victory against the only team to equal their points output in a Presidents' Trophy-winning regular season.
Can Vegas stick with Colorado in Game 2? Find out in our best free NHL betting picks and predictions for Golden Knights vs. Avalanche on June 2.
Golden Knights vs Avalanche game info
• Location: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
• Date: Wednesday, June 2, 2021
• Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
• TV: CBC, NBCSN
Golden Knights vs Avalanche odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Compare NHL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
NHL Sharp Money and Line Movement Report
By Patrick EversonColorado opened a solid -175 favorite late Sunday night at William Hill US and stretched to -190 by midmorning on game day, then backed up to -185 this evening. The Avalanche are attracting 73 percent of moneyline bets and 81 percent of moneyline cash. The total opened at 5.5 (Over -120) and is now 5.5 flat (-110). "We're dead even to the total," William Hill US director of trading Nick Bogdanovich said.
Check out the full line movement for this gameGolden Knights vs Avalanche series odds
Golden Knights: +308
Avalanche: -506
Golden Knights vs Avalanche betting preview
Injuries
Golden Knights: Ryan Reaves F (Out), Mattis Janmark F (Questionable), Tomas Nosek F (Questionable), Brayden McNabb D (Out).
Avalanche: Nazem Kadri F (Out), Logan O'Connor F (Out).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The favorite is 4-1 in the last five games between the Avalanche and Golden Knights. Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Avalanche.
Moneyline pick
The most anticipated second-round series began curiously, with the Knights turning to Robin Lehner after Marc-Andre Fleury started and flourished in Vegas' first-round series against the Wild. Lehner got absolutely shellacked in the surprise start, allowing seven goals on 37 shots — with an expected goals against of 2.63 really highlighting how poor of a decision the Knights made.
Right down to the Knights' loss of composure in an already-lost game, the Avs' Game 1 win was reminiscent of their series against the Blues, during which St. Louis regularly hurt themselves with stupid penalties.
Among the biggest factors in the Avs' first-round sweep over the Blues was the degree to which their top line dominated. That has to be worrisome to the Knights, who saw Colorado's trio of Gabriel Landeskog, Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon combine for eight points and a Corsi-for percentage of 63.64 in Game 1.
Though the Avalanche appeared too quick, too skilled and, crucially, too well-rested for Vegas in Game 1, the underlying numbers suggest a much closer game, with Colorado just edging the Knights in expected goals, 2.63-2.39.
These two teams played an incredibly tight regular-season series, and even though Colorado looked more than a class above Vegas in Game 1, it should be a lot closer moving forward. The Avs can again take care of business at home but we can't take them on the puck line against a highly motivated Knights squad.
PREDICTION: Avalanche (-180)
Over/Under pick
While Knights head coach Peter DeBoer is yet to make an official announcement, between the additional night off between games and Lehner's Game 1, it's safe to assume Fleury will get the nod for Game 2.
Should Fleury take to the crease for Vegas, he'll be opposite a fellow 2021 Vezina Trophy candidate in Philipp Grubauer. Grubauer was fantastic in seven starts against Vegas this year, with a 1.86 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage. He has been similarly strong through five postseason games, posting a 1.60 GAA and a .941 SV%, allowing eight goals (despite 9.3 expected goals against).
Fleury was just as impressive in the regular season, including consistently performing well against Colorado's dynamic attack. Despite going seven games with Minnesota in Round 1, he was outstanding to begin the postseason, boasting a 1.71 GAA and a .931 SV%.
Game 1 saw eight goals in the Avs' explosion, but the two teams combined for just 5.02 expected goals. With stellar goaltending on both ends of the rink and a Vegas team desperate to tighten the series up, expect Game 2 to fall Under the total.
PREDICTION: Under 5.5 (-102)
Golden Knights vs Avalanche betting card
- Avalanche (-180)
- Under 5.5 (-102)
Picks made on 6/1/2021 at 7:05 p.m. ET
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s NHL Golden Knights vs. Avalanche picks, you could win $20.81 on a $10 bet?
Use our NHL parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where can I bet on the NHL?
You can bet on NHL odds at every online and casino sportsbook, including NHL moneylines, puck lines, Over/Under totals, and a ton of NHL prop odds. Head over to our best sportsbooks for NHL betting in your area.
