Still, the Avalanche are Moneyline favourites tonight on home ice, looking to avoid going down 2-0 in their series against the Golden Knights
Anyone who watched Game 1 of the Western Conference Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night walked away with a few conclusions.
One, the impact of the absence of superstar defenseman Cale Makar on the Avalanche roster is devastating. TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that Makar’s injury is one he can probably deal with, so while there isn’t any official word yet, I am betting he suits up tonight for Game 2.
If he doesn’t, this morning’s betting lines are going to change. Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon looked frustrated in Game1, even chirping at his teammates on the bench. He’s been spoiled by those crisp Makar breakout passes, plus Makar’s acumen at manning power plays. His loss is devastating.
Two, and this is devastating for Leafs fans, Mitch Marner is playing with absolute freedom, free from the hockey cauldron that is Toronto, and his superior skillset is rising to the surface. That diving, spin around pass back to Pavel Dorofeyev for his goal in Game 1 was elite Marner.
Toronto fans didn’t see this from Marner over the decade of springtime hockey he played here because Marner wasn’t the reason behind Maple Leafs’ playoff failures – it’s top to bottom organizational rot. Doesn’t matter who plays for them, who coaches them, who manages them.
Marner, who leads the NHL in playoff scoring, with 19 points, is a Conn Smythe betting favourite, right up there with MacKinnon and Carolina Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen.
The Golden Knights stole home ice advantage from the Avalanche, with a 4-2 win in Game 1, so Colorado has to find a way to not go down 2-0 tonight, with the series then shifting back to Las Vegas for Games 3 and 4.
Mark Stone of the Golden Knights is still listed as day-to-day with a lower body injury. Stone hasn’t played since Game 3 in the last series against Anaheim. Stone was on the ice before Game 1 Wednesday, but Vegas head coach John Tortorella was non-committal about a Stone return at that point, with the power forward travelling with the team.
Stone led the Golden Knights to a Stanley Cup in 2023 and is the team’s all-time leader in goals (39) and assists (79) in the playoffs.
Jeremy Lauzon (upper body) also remains out for Vegas.
BEST BETS
Vegas Golden Knights (39-26-17, 19-14-8 away) at Colorado Avalanche (55-16-11, 29-9-6 home), 8 p.m. EST, Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Vegas leads series 1-0
In NHL betting on Betway, the Avalanche are Moneyline favourites to tie the series, at -190, with the Golden Knights +160. Puckline is Avalanche -1.5 (+125), Golden Knights +1.5 (-160). Over/Under is 6.5 (O +110, U -140).
Colorado Avalanche To Win (-190)
A Makar return will put an exclamation mark on this pick. Despite losing Game 1, the Avalanche are still betting favourites to win the Stanley Cup – at +200. The Carolina Hurricanes are at +225, the Montreal Canadiens +325, and the Golden Knights +350.
Vegas is capable of stealing another one – they are a heavy forechecking, structured playoff team, and frustrated the Avalanche the other night. But the Avalanche storm back tonight at home because they must. They’ve been the NHL’s best team all year and dominated shots and expected goals in Game 1. MacKinnon has seven goals and seven assists over the last 10 games.
Both the Golden Knights and Avalanche remain adept on the power play: 27% and 25.9% over the playoffs, respectively. Both teams had PP markers Wednesday.
Over 6.5 (+110)
Vegas goalie Carter Hart had a .947 SV%, stopping 36 pucks on 38 shots the other night.
But Avalanche’s offence will carry them tonight – exciting back-and-forth hockey at Ball Arena.
Hart Over 28.5 Saves (-125)
Tortorella came in as head coach March 29, after the team fired Bruce Cassidy, and right away established Hart as his goalie. Hart has taken the puck and run with it. He’s been great.
As said, the Avalanche will come out firing tonight. Colorado wins the game, with over 30 shots, but Hart keeps the Golden Knights in it.
Have a look at Jack Eichel Over 0.5 Assists (-165) tonight as well. Eichel is driving the Golden Knights’ offence, playing 22:29 minutes per night in the playoffs.
