Lightning vs Avalanche Prediction 10/23/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche meet Friday in NHL action at the Ball Arena. Here’s a Lightning vs. Avalanche Prediction. This article will include a Lightning vs. Avalanche Pick.

Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Golden Knights and Canucks, and they play the Avalanche next. The Lightning have won 7 of their last 8 games.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are averaging 3.44 goals per game and are scoring on 12.9 percent of their power-play opportunities. Brandon Hagel leads Tampa Bay with 7 goals, Nikita Kucherov has 9 assists, and John Carlson has 27 shots on goal. Defensively, the Tampa Bay Lightning are allowing 2.56 goals per game and are killing 79.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Andrei Vasilevskiy has allowed 17 goals on 166 shots faced, and Dennis Hildeby has allowed 4 goals on 50 shots.

Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview

The Colorado Avalanche lost to the Flyers and Devils, and they play the Predators next. The Avalanche have lost 5 of their last 8 games.

The Colorado Avalanche are averaging 4.1 goals per game and are scoring on 18.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Artturi Lehkonen leads Colorado with 8 goals, Nathan MacKinnon has 10 assists, and Nazem Kadri has 27 shots on goal. Defensively, the Colorado Avalanche are allowing 3 goals per game and are killing 82.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Mackenzie Blackwood has given up 20 goals on 180 shots faced, and Scott Wedgewood has allowed 8 goals on 91 shots.

Why the Colorado Avalanche will win

• The Avalanche have won six of their last seven games at Ball Arena following a road loss.
• The Lightning have lost four of their last five night games following a road win.
• The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games following a road win.
• The Avalanche have covered the puck line in four of their last five home games following a road loss.
• The Avalanche have won the first period in six of their last seven home games against Atlantic Division opponents.

Why the Tampa Bay Lightning will win

• The Avalanche have lost four of their last five games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Lightning have won six of their last eight games as underdogs.
• The Lightning have covered the puck line in 10 of their last 11 games as underdogs.
• The Avalanche have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Avalanche have lost the third period in each of their last four games against Atlantic Division opponents when trailing after the second period.

Total Goals Facts

• Eight of the Avalanche’s last nine games at Ball Arena following a road loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Thirteen of the Lightning’s last 15 games against Central Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2’ market has hit in each of the Avalanche’s last eight games as favorites.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last five night games.

Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts

• Brock Nelson has scored at least one goal in six of the Avalanche’s last seven games against Atlantic Division opponents at Ball Arena.
• Nathan MacKinnon has recorded at least one assist in each of his last eight appearances against the Lightning at Ball Arena.
• Artturi Lehkonen ranks 1st amongst qualified players for shooting percentage (50.0%) this season.

Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts

• Brandon Hagel has scored at least one goal in five of his last six appearances with the Lightning as underdogs.
• Victor Hedman has recorded an assist in each of the Lightning’s last five road games against the Avalanche.
• Nikita Kucherov ranks T3rd in the league for multi-assist games (4) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Colorado Avalanche has scored 6+ goals in three games this season – equal-most in the NHL.
• The Colorado Avalanche rank 1st in the league for Period 2 goals scored per game this season (2.00).
• The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 6th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.56).
• The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 3rd in the league for Period 3 goals allowed per game this season (0.44).

Lightning vs Avalanche Injury Report

The Avalanche will be without Nicolas Roy, Zachary L’Heureux, and Georgii Merkulov.

The Lightning will be without Yanni Gourde. Anthony Cirelli is day-to-day.

Lightning vs Avalanche Prediction

The Avalanche should get the benefit of the doubt at home, but they’re off to a shaky start, which includes losses in 3 of their last 4 games. The Avalanche just look sloppy and have some rough losses. The Lightning come into this game playing the better hockey and have found a pep in their step offensively. The Lightning have also won 7 of the last 10 games against the Avs and often look comfortable in these meetings. The value is with the road dog. Give me the Lightning and the plus money.

Randy Chambers's Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning