| MATCHUP | Vegas Golden Knights | Colorado Avalanche |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 39-26-17 | 55-16-11 |
| Spread | +1.5 -170 | -1.5 142 |
| Moneyline | +140 | -166 |
| Total | Over 6.5 (110) | Under 6.5 (-130) |
| Where | Ball Arena, Denver, CO | |
| When | Friday, May 22, 2026 | |
| Time | 08:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN | |
In this article we will formulate a Golden Knights vs Avalanche prediction for this NHL game on Friday, May 22nd at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL playoff matchup.
Vegas Golden Knights Betting Preview
The Vegas Golden Knights are up 1-0 in this series after they won game one by a score of 4-2 on Wednesday night. Vegas scored the first three goals in the game and they added an empty net goal late in the third to seal the win. The Golden Knights recorded 28 shots on goal, won 56.9% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Vegas got goals from Dorofeyev, Dowd, Howden, and Coghlan, while Hart stopped 36 out of 38 shots, which was a .947 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 eight of their last ten 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 one goal and 15 assists in the playoffs. The projected starting goalie for Vegas is Carter Hart, who is 9-4 with a 2.35 goals against average and a .920 save percentage this postseason.
Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview
The Colorado Avalanche are down 0-1 in this series after they lost game one by a score of 4-2. Colorado scored two times in the third to cut the deficit to 3-2, but they couldn’t find the tying goal in the loss. The Avalanche recorded 38 shots on goal, won 43.1% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Colorado got goals from Landeskog and Nichushkin, while Wedgewood stopped 24 out of 27 shots, which was an .889 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 won 11 of their last 13 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 7-2 with a 2.32 goals against average and a .911 save percentage this postseason.
Why the Colorado Avalanche will win
- The Avalanche have won nine of their last 10 games following a home loss.
- The Golden Knights have lost eight of their last nine games as underdogs following a road win.
- The Avalanche have covered the puck line in five of their last six games as favorites following a loss.
- The Golden Knights have failed to cover the puck line in 20 of their last 26 games following a road win.
- The Golden Knights have lost the second period in four of their last five games as underdogs at Ball Arena when trailing after the first period.
Why the Vegas Golden Knights will win
- The Golden Knights have won four of their last five games as road underdogs.
- The Avalanche have lost five of their last six night games at Ball Arena against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Golden Knights have covered the puck line in each of their last 10 games as road underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
- The Avalanche have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven games at Ball Arena against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Avalanche have lost the second period in each of their last three games as favorites against Pacific Division opponents when trailing after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Nine of the last 10 night games between the Golden Knights and Avalanche at Ball Arena have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Golden Knights’ last 10 games against Western Conference opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Avalanche’s last seven Friday night games at Ball Arena.
Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts
- Devon Toews has recorded an assist in each of the Avalanche’s last four home playoff games against the Golden Knights.
- Nathan MacKinnon has scored at least one goal in six of the Avalanche’s last seven playoff games.
- Nathan MacKinnon ranks 1st in the league for multi-goal games (14) this season.
Vegas Golden Knights Player Prop Facts
- Brett Howden has scored at least one goal in each of the Golden Knights’ last six road playoff games.
- Mitch Marner has recorded at least one assist in each of the Golden Knights’ last six road playoff games.
- Rasmus Andersson has recorded an assist in each of his last three appearances – equal-longest active streak in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- 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.
- The Vegas Golden Knights rank 1st in the league for Period 3 goals scored per game this season (1.32).
- The Vegas Golden Knights rank 2nd in the league for shots against per game this season (24.4).
Golden Knights vs Avalanche Prediction
Vegas stunned Colorado in game one to take a 1-0 series lead and they will look to take a commanding 2-0 lead with a win here. The Golden Knights were 19-14-8 on the road this year, while the Avalanche were 26-9-6 at home. Colorado was dominant in their first two series, but they really missed Makar, who was out with an injury. We did see the Avalanche come to life in the third period and I think they will carry that momentum into this game, as they are the desperate team for the first time in these playoffs. Take Colorado -1.5 here.