Colorado Avalanche vs
Florida PanthersPredictions & Preview

Avalanche vs. Panthers: Colorado Favored to Win as Top Teams Clash in NHL Showdown

The Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers, two top teams in the NHL, will face off on Saturday night. I will analyze each team's recent performance, review their last game, and provide predictions for the Avalanche vs. Panthers matchup. The game will take place at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL, with puck drop at 6:00 ET. The Florida Panthers are currently favored to win, with the betting line opening at -133 and now at Florida -125.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Avalanche +105 | Panthers -125
• Spread: Avalanche +1.5 (-230) | Panthers -1.5 (+195)
• Total: Over/Under 6 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Florida will win straight-up is 56%.

Colorado vs Florida Stats

Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche started the season 5-7-0 due to injuries, but have since gotten key players back and have won six of their last eight games, bringing their record to 11-9-0 and putting them in fourth place in the Central Division. Their latest win was against Washington, with goals from Mikko Rantanen and Miles Wood. Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev made 28 saves in the victory. However, the Avalanche have struggled in net all season, ranking last in save percentage in the NHL at .864. Overall, Colorado is ranked 11th in offense, 30th in defense, and has a power ranking of 8.

Florida Panthers Analysis

The Florida Panthers, the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, have had a solid start to the season with a record of 12-7-1. Despite a recent cold streak of 1-4-0 in their last five games, including a loss to the Blackhawks where goalie Spencer Knight struggled, the team remains competitive in the Atlantic Division race, trailing first-place Toronto by just one point. Offensively, the Panthers are performing well, ranking sixth in goals per game and ninth on the power-play. Defensively, they are mid-tier, ranking 18th in goals against average. Sam Reinhart leads the NHL in goals and is proving to be worth his significant contract. Overall, the Panthers have a power ranking of 7 and are ranked 5th for offense and 21st for defense. In their recent matchups, Colorado has had the upper hand with a 2-1-0 record against Florida.

Avalanche's Offensive Surge Makes Them Favorable Choice Over Struggling Panthers

The Avalanche's recent performance, coupled with the return of Lehkonen and Nichushkin, has contributed to their current offensive strength. With a record of 5-1-0 in their last six games and an average of 3.3 goals per game during this stretch, the team is in a commendable form. Conversely, the Panthers have had a less than stellar performance with a record of 1-4-0 in their last five games. Considering these factors, the Avalanche appear to be the preferable choice, particularly in a high-scoring game. The team's elite skaters provide a solid foundation for this prediction. Therefore, it is recommended to consider backing the Avalanche at plus-money based on their recent performance and offensive capabilities.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ]