The Vegas Golden Knights (4-1-0) play host to the Colorado Avalanche (2-2-1) at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday. Neither team is favored with the game listed as a pick’em, and the total is 6.5.Colorado is kicking off a five-game road trip with the second of a back-to-back after suffering a 3-2 loss against the Kraken yesterday.
The Avalanche committed six penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Bowen Byram and Evan Rodrigues each scored once for the Avalanche. Byram added an assist to share the scoring lead with Valeri Nichushkin, who had two assists. Pavel Francouz saved 35 of 38 shots in the loss.
Vegas beat the Jets 5-2 on Thursday. Jack Eichel was the leading goal scorer for the Golden Knights, netting twice. Adin Hill saved 26 of 28 shots in the win (.928%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Avalanche won two of the three games between the teams last season, including a 3-2 victory in their final meeting in February. Andre Burakovsky, J.T. Compher, and Nathan MacKinnon were on the scoresheet for Colorado. Chandler Stephenson and Jonathan Marchessault were on the scoresheet for Vegas. Darcy Kuemper got the win, saving 34 of 36 shots (.944%).
FACING OFF
Colorado is averaging 3.80 goals per game so far this season, seventh in the NHL, and they are taking on a Golden Knights team that is allowing 2.00 goals a game (2nd). Meanwhile, Vegas has found the net 3.40 times a game on average, 16th in the league, and the Avalanche are allowing opponents to score 3.40 goals per game (20th).
The Avalanche’s 46.67% power play percentage is the best in the league, while the Golden Knights rank 20th with a conversion rate of 15.79%. While efficient on the power play, Colorado has been less impressive at penalty killing, as the away team possesses the league’s lowest PK% at 57.89%. Vegas’ 78.57% ranks 18th in the NHL.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 10 points this season, second-most in the NHL, Nichushkin is the top skater for the Avalanche. He is among the league leaders in both goals and assists, finding the net five times (3rd) and assisting five scores for this teammates (9th). In the net, Alexandar Georgiev (2-0-1) is Colorado’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.00 GAA and a .893% save percentage.
Marchessault, Eichel, and Alex Pietrangelo lead the Golden Knights in scoring with five points apiece. Marchessault has four goals (6th) and one assist in five games, while Eichel has three goals and two assists in five games. Pietrangelo has five assists (0th). Hill (2-0-0) has the best goals against average for Vegas at 2.00. He has a save percentage of .934%. Logan Thompson (2-1-0) has played the most games in net for the Golden Knights this season. He has a 2.02 GAA and a .938% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Colorado is 1-1-0 on the road this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Colorado Avalanche (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
