Avalanche vs Golden Knights Prediction 5/24/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate an Avalanche vs Golden Knights prediction for this NHL game on Sunday, May 24th at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL playoff matchup.

Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview

The Colorado Avalanche are down 0-2 in this series after they lost the first two games by scores of 2-4 and 1-3. In game two, Colorado led 1-0 in the third period, but they allowed three goals in the last 11 minutes for the loss. The Avalanche recorded 30 shots on goal, won 58.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Colorado got their lone goal from Colton, while Wedgewood stopped 22 out of 24 shots, which was a .917 save percentage. 

Prior to this series, Colorado defeated the Wild in five games by scores of 9-6, 5-2, 1-5, 5-2, and 4-3. The Avalanche have lost three of their last four games and they finished first in the Central standings with 121 points. Colorado scored 3.63 goals per game and they allowed 2.40 goals against per game, while also going 17.1% on the power play and 84.6% on the penalty kill this season. Nathan MacKinnon has led the Avalanche with seven goals and seven assists, while Martin Necas has added one goal and 10 assists in the playoffs. The projected starting goalie for Colorado is Scott Wedgewood, who is 7-3 with a 2.30 goals against average and a .912 save percentage this postseason. 

Vegas Golden Knights Betting Preview

The Vegas Golden Knights are up 2-0 in this series after they won game two by a score of 3-1 on Friday night. Vegas had trouble generating chances in the first two periods, but they tied the game with 10:45 left in the third and they added two more to get the win. The Golden Knights recorded 25 shots on goal, won 41.4% of the face-offs, and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Vegas got goals from Barbashev (2) and Eichel, while Hart stopped 29 out of 30 shots, which was a .967 save percentage. 

Prior to this series, Vegas defeated the Ducks in six games by scores of 3-1, 1-3, 6-2, 3-4, 3-2, and 5-1. The Golden Knights have won nine of their last eleven games and they finished first in the Pacific standings with 95 points. Vegas scored 3.22 goals per game and they allowed 2.95 goals against per game, while also going 24.6% on the power play and 81.4% on the penalty kill this season. Mitch Marner has led the Golden Knights with seven goals and 12 assists, while Jack Eichel has added two goals and 16 assists in the playoffs. The projected starting goalie for Vegas is Carter Hart, who is 10-4 with a 2.25 goals against average and a .924 save percentage this postseason.

Why the Vegas Golden Knights will win

• The Golden Knights have won five of their last six games as underdogs.
• The Avalanche have lost three of their last four Game 3s of a playoff series.
• The Golden Knights have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games as underdogs.
• The Avalanche have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four night games at T-Mobile Arena against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Avalanche have lost the first period in four of their last five night games at T-Mobile Arena.

Why the Colorado Avalanche will win

• The Avalanche have won each of their last 11 games as road favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
• The road team has covered the puck line in nine of the Golden Knights’ last 10 games.
• The Golden Knights have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games at T-Mobile Arena.
• The Golden Knights have lost the second period in three of their last four games as home underdogs when trailing after the first period.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Avalanche’s last eight road games following a home loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Four of the Golden Knights’ last five home games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Golden Knights’ last 11 home games against the Avalanche.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Avalanche’s last nine night games at T-Mobile Arena.

Vegas Golden Knights Player Prop Facts

• Pavel Dorofeyev has scored at least one goal in four of the Golden Knights’ last five playoff games.
• Jack Eichel has recorded at least one assist in each of the Golden Knights’ last five games against Central Division opponents.
• Pavel Dorofeyev has recorded a point in each of his last six appearances – longest active streak in the league.

Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts

• Nathan MacKinnon has scored at least one goal in eight of the Avalanche’s last nine road playoff games against Western Conference opponents.
• Nathan MacKinnon has recorded at least one assist in each of his last eight Sunday night appearances against Pacific Division opponents.
• Nathan MacKinnon ranks 1st in the league for multi-goal games (14) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Vegas Golden Knights have recorded the equal-most wins when tied or trailing after Period 1 this season (31).
• The Vegas Golden Knights rank 1st in the league for Period 3 goals scored per game this season (1.32).
• The Colorado Avalanche rank 1st in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (84.62%).
• The Colorado Avalanche are one of only three teams in the league to rank top 5 for both goals for and goals against per game this season.

Avalanche vs Golden Knights Prediction 

Vegas comes into this matchup after stunning Colorado in games one and two, and they have a chance to take a 3-0 lead in the series here. The Golden Knights were 20-12-9 at home this year, while the Avalanche were 29-7-5 on the road. Colorado cruised through the first two rounds of the playoffs, but Makar’s absence has been a massive factor. I know the Golden Knights are playing with a ton of momentum, but Colorado is still the more talented team and I expect a response here. Take Colorado to win.

David Racey's Pick: Avalanche ML