We’ve got a potential Stanley Cup Final preview tonight in Carolina, as the first-place team in the Central division takes on the first-place team in the Metropolitan division.
This is going to be a big test for the Carolina Hurricanes and perhaps a benchmark game to see how they stack up against what is arguably the NHL’s most elite team. The Colorado Avalanche are looking to avenge their loss on Tuesday night, where they saw a 3-0 lead disappear against the New Jersey Devils.
Here are our free NHL picks and predictions for Avalanche vs. Hurricanes tonight, March 10.
Avalanche vs Hurricanes odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
The Colorado Avalanche opened up at -110, went up to -120, but is now at -115. The total opened up at 6 and has not moved.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until puck drop and be sure to check out the full NHL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Avalanche vs Hurricanes predictions
Predictions made on 3/10/2022 at 8:00 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
If you're signing up for a new sportsbook for the 2021-22 NHL season, here are two of the best bonuses available:
USA: Avalanche, Golden Knights, and Devils all to win tonight BOOSTED to +450 (was +360) at FanDuel! Sign Up Now
Canada: Bet on any team to win a game involving a Canadian team at Betway — if they jump out to a 2-0 lead, you get paid out as a winner, regardless of the final result! Claim Now
Avalanche vs Hurricanes game info
• Location: PNC Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina
• Date: Thursday, March 10, 2022
• Puck drop: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: Altitude, BSN
Avalanche vs Hurricanes betting preview
Key injuries
Avalanche: Bowen Byram D (Out).
Hurricanes: Freddie Anderson G (Questionable), Tony DeAngelo (Out), Brendan Smith D (Out).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Avalanche vs Hurricanes head-to-head record
Avalanche: 3-3-0 SU, 13 goals for.
Hurricanes: 3-3-0 SU, 15 goals for.
Betting trend to know
The road team is 4-0 in the last four meetings between these two. Find more NHL betting trends for Avalanche vs. Hurricanes.
Avalanche vs Hurricanes picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Moneyline analysis
The Hurricanes and Avalanche haven’t met since February of 2020 and since then, both teams have become legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.
The Avalanche have one of the scariest offensively talented teams, they are completely loaded up front, while also having two studs on the blue line. They probably have the best top-six in the league, made of up Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Nazem Kadri, Gabriel Landeskog, Andrei Burakovsky, and Valeri Nichushkin. They have a combined 333 points between the six of them.
The Canes’ top-six forwards aren’t too shabby, but to put things in perspective, they have combined for 231 points. As a team, they rank as the eighth best offensive team, averaging 3.39 GPG. The Canes have some pretty talented players on their roster, but they don’t have anywhere close to the amount of skill as Colorado.
That being said, Carolina’s head coach, Rod Brind ‘Amour has become one of the most well-respected bench bosses in the league. His team is one of the most difficult groups to play against, as the Hurricanes only allow 9.30 chances against per game, which ranks them fourth.
Cale Makar is starting to run away with the Norris trophy, as he is currently riding a 13-game point streak and has scored three goals in his last two games. Makar currently leads all defensemen in goals with 21 and points with 65 — he is on an absolute tear. Makar is a key contributor to this second-best offensively ranked team, averaging 3.91 gpg and generating the second most offensive chances with 12.76 per game.
Freddie Anderson is questionable in goal for Carolina as he did not dress in the team’s last game. If Anderson is not able to play, with all due respect to their backup goalie, Antti Raanta, I don’t think he stands a chance against this incredibly talented Avalanche team. Even if Anderson does start, it has become clear that he is not feeling 100% and the Avs should be able to take advantage.
Prediction: Avalanche moneyline (-115)
Over/Under analysis
There is no denying the fact that both teams can score goals. In their last three games, the Avs have scored 11 goals, but Carolina has only scored six in its last three contests. Since this is the first meeting between these two teams in nearly two years, the first period should be a bit of a feeling-out process as they are not used to playing each other.
Darcy Kuemper will get the nod in goal for the Avs and he has been very reliable for them in his first season with the club. Despite allowing four goals in his last start, he was absolutely peppered by the New Jersey Devils and still managed to make 38 saves. He has posted a very impressive record of 27-7-2 with a .917 save percentage and a 13.5 GSAx. Luckily for him, the Avs don’t necessarily rely on their goaltending to win every night. When your team has the ability to score goals on command, it takes a lot of the pressure off as a goalie.
It seems more than likely that Raanta will be making his third straight start for the Canes. Raanta is one of the better backup goaltenders in the league, considering that he did spend some seasons as a starter. In his previous two starts, he has only allowed four goals on a total of 54 shots that he faced. He has exceeded his expectations this season, as he is 9-3-2 with a .911 save percentage and a 5.1 GSAx.
Even if the Raanta wasn’t at his best, the Canes are an excellent team at defending in their own end. In fact, they are the best defensive team in the NHL, only allowing 2.39 gpg. As good as the Avs are offensively, Carolina will do everything in its power to limit their chances.
The Avs aren’t all that bad defensively themselves. They rank 15th defensively in two categories, allowing 2.88 gpg and 31.4 shots against per game.
With this matchup featuring two of the best teams in the league, that are both looking to make a statement, while also considering that they haven’t faced one another in two years, this should be a chess match. I expect a very close and competitive game, with goalies at their best knowing that they are up against a very strong opponent. I like the Under.
Prediction: Under 6 (+100)
Best bet
I believe that all of the pressure in this game falls on the Carolina Hurricanes. The Avs have created enough separation in the Central division to basically have first place locked up. The Canes have two teams chasing them and neither are too far behind.
The Avs will come into this one with a chip on their shoulder after somehow losing to the Devils when they had a 3-0 lead in the second period. As good as Carolina has been defensively this season, I think Colorado’s offense is just too much to handle for Raanta or an unhealthy Anderson if he gets the start.
Kuemper is more than capable of standing on his head in goal. I think the Avs come into Carolina and take two points from the Canes.
Pick: Avalanche moneyline (-115)
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s NHL Avalanche vs. Hurricanes picks, you could win $27.39 on a $10 bet?
Use our NHL parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
