Avalanche vs Hurricanes Prediction 1/3/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate an Avalanche vs Hurricanes prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, January 3rd at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview

The Colorado Avalanche are 30-2-7 this season after they defeated St. Louis by a score of 6-1 in their last game. Colorado scored the first five goals in the game and they were able to cruise to the easy victory. The Avalanche out shot St. Louis by a total of 43-13, won 53.8% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Colorado got goals from MacKinnon (2), Nelson, and Nichushkin (3), while Blackwood stopped 12 out of 13 shots, which was a .923 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Colorado defeated the Kings by a score of 5-2 and the Golden Knights by a score of 6-5. The Avalanche have won nine games in a row and they are currently first in the Central standings with 67 points. Colorado has scored 4.05 goals per game and they have allowed 2.15 goals against per game, while also going 15.9% on the power play and 85.7% on the penalty kill this season. Nathan MacKinnon has led Colorado with 34 goals and 36 assists, while Martin Necas has added 19 goals and 32 assists. The projected starting goalie for Colorado is Mackenzie Blackwood, who is 13-1-1 with a 2.07 goals against average and a .924 save percentage this season. 

Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview

The Carolina Hurricanes are 24-13-3 this year after they lost to Montreal by a score of 7-5 in their last game. Carolina led 4-2 in the second period, but they allowed the next four goals and couldn’t recover in the loss. The Hurricanes out shot Montreal by a total of 25-23, won 55.6% of the face-offs, and went 2-3 on the power play in the game. Carolina got goals from Aho (2), Ehlers, Svechnikov, and Nikishin, while Bussi stopped 16 out of 22 shots, which was a .727 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Carolina lost to the Penguins by a score of 5-1, but did beat the Rangers by a score of 3-2 before that. The Hurricanes have lost five of their last seven games and they are currently first in the Metro standings with 51 points. Carolina has scored 3.28 goals per game and they have allowed 3.00 goals against per game, while also going 19.0% on the power play and 79.8% on the penalty kill this season. Sebastian Aho has led Carolina with 16 goals and 24 assists, while Andrei Svechnikov has added 11 goals and 19 assists. The projected starting goalie for Carolina is Brandon Bussi, who is 13-2-1 with a 2.33 goals against average and a .901 save percentage this year. 

Why the Colorado Avalanche will win

• The Avalanche have won each of their last nine night games against opponents on a losing streak.
• The Hurricanes have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five home games.
• The Avalanche have covered the puck line in each of their last four night games against the Hurricanes following a home win.
• The Hurricanes have lost the second period in each of their last four games as underdogs.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Hurricanes’ last five games against the Avalanche following a loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the Avalanche’s last three games have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the last five Saturday games at Lenovo Center have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Hurricanes’ last eight games following a loss.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Avalanche’s last six games following a home win.

Carolina Hurricanes Player Prop Facts

• Sebastian Aho has scored a goal in four of his five previous appearances with the Hurricanes as underdogs against the Avalanche.
• Shayne Gostisbehere has recorded at least one assist in each of his last eight Saturday night appearances at Lenovo Center.

Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts

• Nathan MacKinnon has scored at least one goal in each of the Avalanche’s last eight Saturday games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Cale Makar has recorded at least one assist in each of the Avalanche’s last 12 games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Avalanche vs Hurricanes Prediction 

Colorado comes into this matchup looking for their 10th win in a row, as they continue to run away with the Central Division. The Avalanche are 13-2-5 on the road this year, while the Hurricanes are 13-7-1 at home. Carolina has lost two games in a row and they have allowed 12 goals during that span. The Hurricanes are struggling over the last two weeks, but they are still the top team in the Metro and they are very good on home ice. I think if Carolina plays their best game, they can give Colorado a good test, but they are not playing very well right now. Take the Avalanche to win again.

David Racey's Pick: Avalanche ML