Devils vs Avalanche Prediction and Picks - Goals at Altitude
- Over 6.5 goals is tipped for Devils vs Avalanche.
- Colorado average 4.08 goals per game and face a likely Devils backup goalie.
- Both teams' recent games and player form point to a high-scoring matchup.
Devils vs Avalanche Prediction and Picks
New Jersey Devils vs Colorado Avalanche Prediction and Pick - ExpertPicks
Colorado's scoring and a New Jersey backup in goal should make this a high-event night in Denver.
Hot on the heels of a 5-1 win in Dallas, the New Jersey Devils arrive at Ball Arena on the second night of a back-to-back to face the Colorado Avalanche, and plenty of goals are expected in this Devils vs Avalanche prediction, with puck drop at 9 p.m. ET.
I have Colorado around four and New Jersey around three. The Avalanche score 4.08 goals a game, the second-best mark in the NHL, and Connor Hellebuyck played last night, so the Devils are likely to turn to Jake Allen (.886) or Nico Daws (.872). New Jersey's own attack puts 33.5 shots a game on net, and Colorado's goaltending has been below .900 all season.
Artturi Lehkonen has 10 goals and has scored in each of his last three games. At 3.35 the price is bigger than his form, with goals in seven of his 12 games.
Arseny Gritsyuk is the cheaper way into the Devils' attack. He has a point in six straight games, and he won't need top-line minutes to find one against a defence allowing 28.5 shots a night.
Key Stats and Trends
- Colorado's games have gone over 6.5 goals in eight of 12.
- New Jersey's penalty kill is working at just 74.1%.
- Lehkonen has six goals in his last five games.
- Gritsyuk has points in eight of his 12 games.
Head to Head
The 2025-26 season series was split 1-1, with New Jersey winning 4-3 in overtime at home and Colorado winning 8-4 at Ball Arena. The Devils lead this season's series 1-0.
The last meeting was October 20 at Prudential Center, a 4-3 New Jersey win. The Devils led 4-1 after Jesper Boqvist's empty-netter, but Lehkonen scored twice in the final four minutes, the second with five seconds left, and Jake Allen's 31 saves held the win.
Devils Form
New Jersey are 8-4-0 and have won six of their last seven, including four straight.
Tuesday's 5-1 win in Dallas was built early, with Nico Hischier scoring twice to put New Jersey 2-0 up 38 seconds into the second. On Saturday they trailed the Kings 1-0 late in the second before Anthony Mantha tied it and Brett Pesce scored the winner in the third.
Hellebuyck won his Devils debut on Tuesday, per the Devils' preview, so the back-to-back points to Allen or Daws tonight.
Avalanche Form
Colorado are 6-5-1, and the 3.33 goals they allow a game have cancelled out one of the league's best attacks.
Sunday's 6-2 loss in Nashville came down to special teams, with the Predators scoring four power-play goals. Two nights earlier, Colorado led Tampa Bay 3-0 inside 25 minutes and won 6-3, with Nathan MacKinnon finishing with a goal and three assists.
Scott Wedgewood (.889) is expected back in the backup role, according to CBS Sports, so Mackenzie Blackwood (.893) should start. Nicolas Roy is day to day with a lower-body injury, which could thin the bottom six.
Verdict
Colorado's attack against a tired Devils team with a backup in goal points to goals at both ends, with Lehkonen and Gritsyuk in on it.
Jeremy Darke
Sports Editor & Betting Analyst • Sports Writer & Expert Betting Analyst
Jeremy is a sports journalist and analyst covering major US leagues including NBA, NHL and NFL, seeking out player props and value.
From playing rugby, ice hockey, tennis and soccer in his home country of Australia to travelling the world covering US sports, he has found a niche in betting expertise.
His interest in analytics and statistics helps him find the edge while writing previews and being a regular tipster here at ExpertPicks.com.