Wild vs. Avalanche Preview, Best Bets: NHL Playoff Predictions

The well-rested Colorado Avalanche take on Central Division rival the Minnesota Wild in what should be a riveting second-round series. 

The Avalanche have the shortest Stanley Cup odds at the BetMGM online sportsbook (+220), while the Wild are the fifth-most likely team to win (+950). 

Both teams feature two of the league’s best triumvirates, with the Avs led by Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, and Cale Makar, and the Wild spearheaded by Matt Boldy, Kirill Kaprizov, and Quinn Hughes.  

Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche Prediction: 2nd Round NHL Playoff Preview 

The Wild were exceptional 5-on-5 against a Dallas Stars team that was among the best during the regular season, outscoring them 14-4. 

They have the fourth-best goals above expected (3.37), the second-best goals against above expected (-6.85), the best PDO (107.7), a stat that combines save percentage and shooting percentage, and the third-best goals against per 60 minutes 5-on-5 (0.76). 

They have the depth and star power to push the Avalanche to the limit. However, I backed the Avalanche to win the Stanley Cup, and my viewpoint hasn’t changed. 

The Avalanche brushed aside the Los Angeles Kings in the first round despite not playing their best hockey. Nathan MacKinnon didn’t get out of third gear until the Game 4 decider, but the rest of the team chipped in at opportunistic moments. 

The Kings offered a perfect warmup for the Presidents’ Trophy winners, backstopped by Scott Wedgewood, who is among the early Conn Smythe Trophy favourites.

Wedgewood finished the opening round with the third-best goals saved above expected (6). 

Granted, the Kings scored the fourth-fewest goals per game in the regular season, but I’m not taking anything away from his superb play. 

While there isn’t much to choose between the rivals’ superstars, I give the Avs the edge otherwise. Their secondary scoring is outstanding, featuring recent acquisition Nazem Kadri, Nicolas Roy, and Brock Nelson, among others. 

They had the third-best goals difference above expected (5.19), the second-best PDO (106.58), and the best goals against per 60 minutes 5-on-5 (0.61). 

The extra rest will also help.

Wild vs. Avalanche Game 1 Odds, Spread, Over/Under 

Wild vs. Avalanche Season Series 

The Wild and Avalanche split the four-game season series, with each team taking one in a shootout and each winning one by a wide margin. 

Wild, Avalanche First Round Stats

Wild vs. Avalanche: Who’s Hot?

Kaprizov and Boldy took control of the first-round series, and both have nine points, tied for second among the scoring leaders. 

Quinn Hughes scored eight points, three of which were in the decisive Game 6. Jesper Wallstedt was exceptional in his playoff debut, with a 0.924 save percentage and 2.05 goals-against average (GAA). 

Three Avs share the team lead in points (4), but the story of the first round was Wedgewood, who had a .950 save percentage and 1.21 GAA in his first four playoff starts.  

Wild vs. Avalanche Best Bets

I have the Avalanche to win the series, but I expect it to be close. Both the Wild +1.5 and Avs -1.5 are offered at -105.

I’m not confident about whether it will take 6 or 7 games, so I’ve decided to go another route, backing the Avs to be up 2-1 after three games. 

I also have MacKinnon to score the most points. 

Nathan MacKinnon most points: +140

Avalanche 2-1 up after 3 games: -105