The Anaheim Ducks are riding high after a thrilling overtime victory on Wednesday, but they’ll face a Colorado Avalanche team desperate to end their four-game skid. Here’s our preview, which includes a prediction, using the best NHL odds from the top sportsbooks.

NHL Pick: Ducks +1.5 (-110) at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)

Ducks vs. Avalanche

Friday, October 18, 2024 – 09:00 PM ET at Ball Arena

A Tale of Two Teams

Leo Carlsson struck just 54 seconds into overtime, lifting the Anaheim Ducks to a 5-4 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Wednesday night, securing their ninth straight home opener win.

Utah briefly regained the lead when Clayton Keller made it 4-3 with 9:10 left in regulation, but Anaheim responded as Pavel Mintyukov found the back of the net with 5:05 remaining to tie the game.

Carlsson, the second overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, sealed the win by capitalizing on a pass from Troy Terry for his first goal of the season. It marked the beginning of his second NHL campaign.

Robby Fabbri also notched his first goal since joining the Ducks, while Terry added his second goal of the season. Lukas Dostal stood tall in net with 26 saves.

Meanwhile, Colorado is coming off a tough 5-3 home loss to Boston on Wednesday, extending the Avalanche’s losing streak to four games—their worst start since the 1998-99 season.

Despite goals from Ross Colton, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen, the Avalanche couldn’t overcome a 4-1 deficit midway through the second period. Rantanen’s tally at 15:08 in the third brought them within one, but it wasn’t enough.

Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev struggled again, allowing four goals and bringing his total to 17 in four games. Last season, Georgiev led the league with 38 wins.

Keys to the Game

Carlsson is finding his form early in the season for Anaheim, while Terry continues to be a reliable offensive threat. On the other hand, Colorado’s offense is struggling to close out games despite solid performances from top contributors like Rantanen and Makar. Both teams come into this matchup looking to overcome their vulnerabilities, and it could be a tightly contested affair.

Carlsson, coming off a game-winning overtime goal, has begun his second season with confidence. He’ll be a focal point for Anaheim’s attack, especially in key moments. Colorado’s defense, led by Makar, will need to contain Carlsson’s creativity and ability to finish in transition. If Makar and the Avalanche blue line can limit his space, it may force Anaheim to rely on secondary scoring options.

Fabbri and Terry have both started the season strong for Anaheim. Terry, with two goals already, and Fabbri, finding the back of the net for the first time with Anaheim, will test Georgiev, who has struggled to find consistency in goal. With 17 goals allowed over four games, Georgiev’s form could be a decisive factor. If Anaheim can pepper him with early shots and capitalize on defensive lapses, it could tilt the game in their favor.

Colorado’s top players, like Rantanen and Colton, have shown flashes of brilliance but haven’t been able to sustain pressure. Anaheim’s goalie Dostal is coming off a solid 26-save performance, and his confidence will be high. The Avalanche need to create high-danger scoring chances and pressure Dostal early to shake him off his game. If they can’t solve him quickly, Anaheim’s defense could frustrate Colorado’s forwards.

With both teams having shaky starts defensively, special teams and turnovers may play a critical role. Anaheim’s discipline and ability to avoid costly penalties could give them an edge if Colorado continues to struggle in their own zone. The Avalanche, who have shown resilience in the third period, will need to clean up their mistakes to avoid falling behind early again.

NHL Pick

This matchup is likely to be a close, back-and-forth contest. Colorado’s offensive talent remains dangerous, but their defensive woes and Georgiev’s shaky start in net are major concerns. On the flip side, Anaheim’s young core, led by Carlsson and Terry, is riding a wave of momentum that could carry them through another victory.

Expect Anaheim to capitalize on Colorado’s defensive issues early, but Colorado’s top players will keep them in the game. In the end, Anaheim’s edge in goaltending and their ability to finish strong in tight games can keep them in this contest.

NHL Pick: Ducks +1.5 (-110) at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)

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