Odds courtesy of TonyBet.
Avalanche vs Golden Knights Game 1 Odds
The Avs are a heavy -193 home moneyline favorite for Game 1 at NHL betting sites. The Golden Knights come back at +149. The O/U is set at 6.5 goals.
All three of the regular-season meetings were tense. Colorado won two of them, but it took a shootout in the second matchup. The Golden Knights took home the victory in the most recent meeting in April, beating the Avs in overtime.
Avalanche vs Golden Knights Game 1 Analysis
The Avs have been a favorite all season long to win Lord Stanley, so it’s not exactly a surprise to see them on the doorstep of the Finals. Jared Bednar’s group has dominated in these playoffs, averaging 4.11 goals per contest while allowing just 2.56. They’ve also lost only one game so far in this postseason run, and that was in the second round against Minnesota.
Their depth was on full display in the conference semifinals. 16 different players found the back of the net, and five players scored at least twice. Nathan MacKinnon, who led the NHL in goals in 2025-26, has been the leading catalyst. He has scored seven times and tallied six assists. Martin Necas has served as Colorado’s top playmaker, notching 10 helpers while scoring one goal. Seven different players on this Avs roster have posted at least six points in the playoffs. Their depth is remarkable, and a big reason why this group is so difficult to beat.
The Golden Knights are no pushover, and they will be looking to push the Avalanche for the first time in the playoffs. Vegas took down the Utah Mammoth in six games in round one, before also going six games against another postseason newcomer, the Ducks. Offense has been the name of the game for the Golden Knights, and Mitch Marner has dominated. He leads the entire playoffs in points, compiling 18.
They also have the top playoff goal-scorer (Pavel Dorofeyev, 9 goals) and top playmaker (Jack Eichel, 14 assists). John Tortorella’s team is averaging 3.67 goals scored, while allowing 2.58. This is also a very fundamentally sound group on both ends of the rink, but they’ve yet to face a team as electrifying offensively as the Avalanche. Vegas previously beat Colorado in the 2021 playoffs, but as we know, the Avs are a different beat this season.
Avalanche vs Golden Knights Game 1 Picks
Colorado is an unstoppable force at home, and they’ve played far fewer games in these playoffs so far. I’ll take the Avs to snatch a Game 1 victory at Ball Arena on Wednesday night.
Pick: Avalanche -193 /TonyBet
