The Vegas Golden Knights have won multiple playoff series in four of their seven seasons in franchise history and appear poised for another deep playoff run this season. They sit atop the Pacific Division as they take a trip to Colorado to take on Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and the Avalanche.
Colorado has little to play for at this stage of the season, as they will almost certainly finish third behind the Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars in the Central Division. MacKinnon leads the league in points this season with 115 and remains the central focus of the Avalanche attack, which recently traded away its second-best player.
Both of these teams are not shy in front of goal, as they lead their respective divisions in goals scored this season. The playoffs are right around the corner, and this will be one of the last opportunities for these teams to test their mettle against fellow Stanley Cup contenders.
Matchup: Golden Knights vs Avalanche Overview
- Teams: Vegas Golden Knights at Colorado Avalanche
- Date: Tuesday, April 8th, 2025
- Time: Puck drop is at 9:30 PM EST (7:30 PM local time)
- Venue: Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado
Win Probabilities:
The NHL win probabilities use insights from recent games combined with expert NHL predictions to generate a win probability for both teams. The Vegas Golden Knights have won back-to-back games and eight of their last ten contests, but their streak is expected to come to an end, as they have a 43.3% chance to win this NHL game. Across the ice, the Colorado Avalanche have the benefit of playing on home ice and hold a 56.7% chance to win according to the NHL win probabilities.
Projected Final Score:
The projected final score anticipates a goal fest in Colorado. These are two of the most prolific scoring teams in the NHL, and there will be no shortage of action at both ends of the ice in this matchup. The projected final score is Colorado Avalanche 5-4 Vegas Golden Knights.
Golden Knights vs Avalanche Odds
The NHL odds expect a tight battle between these two Western Conference heavyweights. The Colorado Avalanche, playing on home ice, have -145 odds to snap the Golden Knights’ win streak on Tuesday night. The one-sided NHL odds on the puck line indicate there will be little to separate these two teams. However, the total goals are sitting at a very low 5.5, which makes the over a very attractive option considering these teams have scored 3.35 and 3.40 goals per game, respectively.
| Vegas Golden Knights | Colorado Avalanche | |
| Moneyline | +105 | -145 |
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-250) | -1.5 (+171) |
| Total | Over 5.5 Goals (-133) | Under 5.5 Goals (+105) |
Expert Prediction: Who Wins?
Why the Vegas Golden Knights Could Win
The Vegas Golden Knights have been among the NHL’s best teams since they joined the league in 2017, thanks to their depth and balance on both ends of the ice. Their ability to roll out four lines of capable forwards is a luxury few other teams have, and it has already led to tangible success in the desert. Vegas is led by frontman Jack Eichel after they acquired him from the Buffalo Sabres last season. Eicel has 93 points thanks to 66 assists, both of which are team highs (and personal career highs). His presence on the offensive end is certainly noticeable, but it has been his work on defense that has elevated him to a truly elite number-one center. He is exceptional defensively and has taken only four penalties this season.
The Golden Knights have been dominant on both ends of the ice, and they will need goaltender Adin Hill to continue his hot form in the crease. Hill has never been a starter for a team before in his career, let alone anchored a division leader. He has been excellent for the Golden Knights, but he’ll need to continue his strong play if Vegas hopes to slow down the dynamic duo of MacKinnon and Makar, along with the rest of Colorado’s high-flying attack.
Why the Colorado Avalanche Could Win
The Colorado Avalanche have Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar on their roster, which gives them an excellent chance to win a hockey game against any opponent. The Avs’ duo helped Team Canada win the Four Nations a couple of months ago and are currently leading the league in points for a forward and a defenseman, respectively. Mackinnon’s work in front of the net is irreplaceable, and a strong supporting cast has the Avalanche set to make another deep playoff run.
Colorado moved on from Mikko Rantanen, but they made some savvy signings at the NHL trade deadline. Brock Nelson and Martin Necas have picked up the scoring for the Avalanche, and Colorado has the depth needed to match the Golden Knights’ strong bottom six. There are still question marks surrounding the play of Mackenzie Blackwood in goal, but his .916 save percentage this season has silenced the doubters…for now. Colorado is still building chemistry after their flurry of moves this season, and a test against a strong team like the Golden Knights is the perfect way to get ready for the postseason. Colorado has been almost unstoppable at home this year, and they are a very attractive NHL prediction for this matchup.
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