Nathan MacKinnon and the Avalanche will play Las Vegas Saturday for the top seed in the NHL Western Conference playoffs. Photo from @HockeyMaritime
(Twitter).
- Saturday’s Vegas Golden Knights vs Colorado Avalanche Game will determine No. 1 playoff seed in the West
- Predators are in playoffs for third consecutive season after missing seven of the previous nine seasons
- Read our preview and best bet for tonight’s Golden Knights vs Avalanche round robin game below
When the Vegas Golden Knights (2-0-0) meet the Colorado Avalanche (2-0-0) Saturday in a round-robin game to determine the No. 1 Western Conference playoff seed, the key question is whether the Golden Knights can stop the Avs’ offense.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Colorado Avalanche Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Puckline | Total Odds at DraftKings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegas Golden Knights | -105 | +1.5 (-286) | O 5.5 (-110) |
| Colorado Avalanche | -110 | -1.5 (+235) | U 5.5 (-110) |
Odds taken August 7
The Avalanche vs Golden Knights odds tilt slightly in Colorado’s favor, partly on the strength of two regular season wins, where they racked up 13 goals. They defeated Vegas 6-1 in October and 7-3 in December.
However, that was a long time ago. Both teams enjoyed strong seasons, with Colorado finishing with 92 points and and Vegas at 86. But the Golden Knights were the most impressive team down the stretch in the regular season, going 11-2 in their final 13 regular season games.
The Golden Knights have looked dynamic in the round robin competition, netting 11 goals in their first two games, including six against the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues.
Should Fans Be Worried About Marc-Andre Fleury?
Veteran netminder Fleury is the Golden Knights’ most popular player for good reason. He led them to the Stanley Cup Final in their first season in the league. Before arriving in Las Vegas, he earned three Stanley Cup rings with Pittsburgh.
But Fleury, 35, had a mediocre regular-season, posting a 2.77 goals-against average and .905 save percentage. His career save percentage is .913.
In his only appearance in the round robin games, he won, but surrendered four goals on 17 shots against St. Louis. Vegas acquired Robin Lehner from Chicago at the trade deadline as an insurance policy. It wouldn’t be shocking if Lehner ends up a factor for the Golden Knights. He was 3-0 in coach Pete DeBoer’s lineup with a .940 save percentage since arriving.
Hahaha well we’ve seen this before, Fleury makes spectacular saves – arguably the more athletic goalie – but he sometimes misses the more routine ones that Lehner nabs. It’s two different styles, but in the long run Lehner might be a “safer” but less glamorous option.
— LawrenceKnight702 (@LKnight702) August 6, 2020
Nathan MacKinnon Can Fly Like Connor McDavid
McDavid is billed as the NHL’s most dynamic player, but MacKinnon is in his league. If the Golden Knights want to take down the Avalanche they must control MacKinnon.
In their two meetings this season, MacKinnon had four points, but he only totaled six shots on goal. This is a player who produced 318 shots this season, including three games of 10 or more. He had 12 shots in a game against Dallas.
Since Vegas last played Colorado, the team acquired Alec Martinez from the Los Angeles Kings. He’s a savvy defender who uses positioning and anticipation to be effective against top stars.
Be clear: The Avalanche go as MacKinnon goes.
MACKINNON NAMED MVP FINALIST:
For the second time in three years @Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon has been named a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy given to the leagues MVP.
This is MacKinnon’s third nomination for an award in 2019-2020 season. pic.twitter.com/CvNQkixfWy
— Colorado Sports Updates ⁵²⁸⁰ (@COSportsUpdates) July 21, 2020
Rookie Is An X-Factor
Even in his first full season with the Avalanche, defenseman Cale Makar has already established himself as one of the league’s most exciting impact players. The puck-moving defenseman, who had 50 points in 57 games this season, has the ability to take over a game or a series.
To win this game, Vegas forecheckers must pressure Makar before he starts his breakouts.
Even though he is a rookie, Makar played 10 playoff games last season, registering six points. With his skating, Makar looks like he was born to play with MacKinnon.
Cale Makar is something else pic.twitter.com/YYFzL1liYk
— DNVR Avalanche (@DNVR_Avalanche) August 5, 2020
This Game Is A Coin Flip
While these teams are evenly matched, the intangibles give the Golden Knights an edge. Vegas boasts recent playoff success. The Colorado Avalanche have won one playoff series since 2008. Meanwhile, Vegas is two years removed from reaching the Stanley Cup Final.
You can make a case that Vegas has already established a winning culture, while the Avalanche big game mentality is still a work in process.
Pick: Golden Knights (-105)
Kevin Allen has covered most major events, including the Olympics, Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final. He covered the NHL for USA Today from 1986-2020, receiving the Lester Patrick Award in 2013 and was honored by the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014 with the Elmer Ferguson Award.
source https://casinonewsblogger.com/golden-knights-vs-avalanche-odds-lines-and-spread/
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