The Colorado Avalanche (41-12-5) wraps up a three-game East Coast road trip against the Carolina Hurricanes (39-12-5) at PNC Arena in Raleigh Thursday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we look at the Avalanche vs. Hurricanes odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Avalanche won the first game of the trip against the Islanders, but they were tripped up, 5-3, in New Jersey Tuesday. The Over has hit in each of the outings, and the past three games overall.
The Hurricanes dropped a pair of games on the road March 1-3, but Carolina has rebounded with a couple of 3-2 victories against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Seattle Kraken. The Hurricanes have won five straight at home since a 3-2 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers Feb. 16.
Avalanche at Hurricanes odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Avalanche -112 (bet $112 to win $100) | Hurricanes -108 (bet $108 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche -1.5 (+205) | Hurricanes +1.5 (-300)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -120)
Avalanche at Hurricanes projected goalies
Darcy Kuemper (27-7-2, 2.57 GAA, .917 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Frederik Andersen (29-8-2, 2.08 GAA, .928 SV%, 3 SO)
Kuemper has allowed three or more goals in each of his past three starts, and five of the past six outings. He has lost back-to-back starts for the first time since Oct. 16-19, his second and third outings of the season.
Andersen was on the short end of a 4-0 loss in Washington last Thursday, allowing four goals on 33 shots. He had won his previous four starts, including two wins over Western Conference teams.
Avalanche at Hurricanes odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Hurricanes 3, Avalanche 2
Money line
The HURRICANES (-108) are slight underdogs at home in this marquee matchup and potential Stanley Cup Final preview. But Carolina protects its home ice well, winning five straight in regulation while going 10-0-1 across the past 11 at home. And Carolina has won eight of the past nine against Western Conference foes. Back the home side.
Against the spread
The Hurricanes +1.5 (-300) would cost you three times your potential return if you want a little insurance and don’t trust them straight up. That’s not a recommended play.
PASS.
Over/Under
The UNDER 6.5 (-120) is the way to go here. The Under is 5-1-1 in the past seven games for the Avalanche against teams with a winning overall record. It’s all Under for the Hurricanes lately, going 5-1 in the past six games overall, while going 33-16-3 in the past 52 games at home.