How big an impact will an injury to Nathan MacKinnon have on the Avalanche as they go into an elimination game?
Obviously, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, both dealing with injuries, will be suiting up tonight in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights, as their Colorado Avalanche face elimination from the Stanley Cup playoffs.
MacKinnon took a slap shot off the knee in Game 3 Sunday night and was noticeably labouring. Who knows what we get tonight. But there’s no way he sits this one out.
Makar has been dealing with a shoulder injury, and while on occasion showed snippets of his game-breaking speed in Game 3, the injury has impacted his shot. The Golden Knights have also focused on running that injured shoulder.
Still, having Makar back after missing Games 1 and 2 was a massive boost for the rest of the Colorado lineup.
Another issue the Avalanche face tonight is who they start in goal. Scott Wedgewood let in four goals on 22 shots in Game 3, for an .818 save percentage, as the Golden Knights stormed back from a 3-0 first deficit to win the game 5-3.
Not that 100 per cent of the blame lies in Wedgewood’s crease, far from it. But the Avalanche are going to need a lot more between the pipes tonight.
Kind of like the goaltending Carter Hart has been supplying the Golden Knights in the playoffs – 11-4, a 2.30 GAA, two shutouts, and a whopping .923 save percentage.
Does Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar go back to MacKenzie Blackwood in goal tonight (a .904 save percentage in 39 games this past regular season)?
As hockey commentators have been saying the Golden Knights have proven to be an exemplary NHL organization, with a sole focus on winning. They only joined the league for the 2017-18 season, yet if they beat Colorado tonight that will be three trips to the Stanley Cup finals under their belt, with the Cup win in 2023.
Whether you’re a coach, player or in the front office, you’re there to win championships year in and year out, and that comes from the top.
In Stanley Cup futures on Betway, the Avalanche have dropped to +1400, with the Carolina Hurricanes betting favourites, at -111, followed by the Golden Knights +160 and the Montreal Canadiens +700.
BEST BETS
Colorado Avalanche at Vegas Golden Knights, 9 p.m. EST, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Vegas Golden Knights leads best-of-seven series 3-0
In NHL betting at Betway this morning, the Avalanche are slight favourites on the Moneyline, at -115, the Golden Knights -105. On the Puckline: Colorado is -1.5, +200, and Las Vegas +1.5, -275. The Over/Under is 6.5 (O +110, U -140).
First Period Under 1.5 Goals (-120)
A game of this magnitude will have a cautious start. The Avalanche can’t afford to run and gun. Colorado might come out of the gate emotionally charged, but this will likely tighten up after the first few shifts. Add in strong goaltending on both sides and the defensive adjustments we’ve seen from Vegas, and a lower-event first 20 minutes makes sense.
Credit Vegas Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella – in a short period of time (he only got the job March 29) he has the team buying in to a tighter defensive game, utilizing those big bodies on defence, backed by the superior goaltending Hart has been providing.
Tortorella has been getting the most out of every players on the Las Vegas roster.
Golden Knights To Win (-105)
Kind of surprised at the line, considering the momentum the Golden Knights have been showing, behind good coaching and superlative goaltending.
The Avalanche are President’s Trophy winners for a reason, and they still create a lot of chances, but that MacKinnon injury is a major developing storyline. That injury looked bad.
Vegas is far deeper now – with players like Mitch Marner, Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Pavel Dorofeyev all getting love in prop betting, followed by more depth players like William Karlsson and Tomas Hertl, who had an amazing goal Sunday night that broke the tie. Karlsson scored again in Game 3.
I also like Karlsson’s value to score in Game 3 – Over 0.5 is +375 at Betway.
Jack Eichel Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-150)
Eichel has regressed a bit the past few games, but he’s been getting shots at a high rate all playoffs.
This one should cash out comfortably, with an amped-up home crowd backing the team.
