Colorado should roll against exhausted Vegas

The NHL season continues with seven games on Tuesday. There are some fascinating matchups going on and there is only one big favorite on the map. The rest of the games offer some potential betting opportunities. All lines are courtesy of BetMGM from Tuesday afternoon.

Dog of the day

Record since the beginning of the year: 6-2-0
Units since the beginning of the year: +6.0 units

At the beginning of the season, both the Colorado Avalanche and the Vegas Golden Knights should compete for the Stanley Cup. Currently, both teams have played five games each and only have three wins together.

The Avs have been inconsistent in their game, but I’m not too worried about them. You were without Nathan MacKinnon for two games due to COVID, but he’s been back on the line-up since then. They have also played some high level competitions with the Panthers, Capitals, Blues and Lightning. My Colorado worry counter is low.

Vegas, on the other hand, has a 1-4-0 record and hasn’t won since opening night. In four games since the start of the season, Vegas has only scored six goals. The Golden Knights were knocked out by the New York Islanders in their last game on Sunday.

The Golden Knights are currently playing without their top two strikers in Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty. You will likely get by without Alec Martinez, Alex Tuch, Zach Whitecloud, and Nolan Patrick, too. It’s no surprise to see they struggle to score.

Both teams got mediocre goals at the start of the season, but at this point Colorado is much more likely to surpass that problem. With the Avalanche at home against an exhausted Vegas team, I support them to win this game by at least two goals and cover the puck line at +135.

Rest of the slate

The story goes on

Calgary @ New Jersey: The Devils will likely have to do without their top two goalkeepers due to injury. Her best player Jack Hughes is also out with a shoulder injury. Calgary is playing well but played on Monday and is likely to use substitute goalkeeper Dan Vladar. Two teams not at full strength, but I’m leaning towards Calgary on the moneyline at -105.

Tampa Bay @ Pittsburgh: Tampa Bay is playing the second half of a back-to-back after being embarrassed by Buffalo last night. at -125 on the money line, I am ready to risk being burned by lightning here with Vasilevskiy on the net. Tampa Bay wasn’t good at the start of the year, but it will erupt at some point.

San José @ Nashville: A duel between two mediocre teams, but San Jose fired this season. I am ready to drive the hot team as one Outsider here at +110.

Winnipeg @ Anaheim: Anaheim is lucky enough to be 2-3-1 with the underlying numbers at the start of the year. With Hellebuyck online, I would take the jets like that a -135 favorite on the street.

Montreal @ Seattle: The Kraken opened their franchise with a 1-4-1 record, but on Tuesday they’ll host one of the few teams in the league that got off to a worse start. I’ll take the house octopus with me at -130, but I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be on a leash with the expansion team.

Minnesota @ Vancouver: Minnesota has played five games with an expected goal rate of 62% and won four of them. Vancouver has the second worst underlying metrics in the first few games of the season. I’m playing a road favorite here once again and I’m supporting the Wild at -120.

Goalkeeper situation

Replacement goalkeepers are in bold.

Calgary Flames (probably Dan Vladar) versus New Jersey Devils (probably Nico Daws)

Tampa Bay Lightning (probably Andrei Vasilevskiy) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (Tristan Jarry)

Vegas Golden Knights (probably Robin Lehner) vs. Colorado Avalanche (Darcy Kuemper)

San Jose Sharks (James Reimer) versus Nashville Predators (probably Juuse Saros)

Minnesota Wild (Cam Talbot) vs. Vancouver Canucks (Thatcher Demko)

Winnipeg Jets (Connor Hellebuyck) vs. Anaheim Ducks (probably John Gibson)

Montreal Canadiens (probably Jake Allen) vs. Seattle Kraken (probably Philipp Grubauer)