After dropping a dud with one goal in Game 1, the Colorado Avalanche offense has come back to life in the last two games, including dropping six goals on the Seattle Kraken in a Game 3 win.
The NHL odds for tonight's Game 4 expect both the Stanley Cup odds favorite in the West to roll again... and a lot of goals to be scored. While the Avs get to trot out superstars in Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar, I'm actually looking at an NHL player prop for one of the supporting forwards.
Read on for my free NHL pick, plus a side and total breakdown, in my Avalanche vs. Kraken betting preview for Monday, April 24.
Avalanche vs Kraken Game 4 odds
Avalanche vs Kraken series odds
| Team | To win | Win in 5 | Win in 6 | Win in 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalanche | -650 | +145 | +235 | +380 |
| Kraken | +450 | N/A | +1,300 | +800 |
Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of April 24.
Avalanche vs Kraken Game 4 predictions
The Colorado Avalanche are already without captain Gabriel Landeskog, and took another hit ahead of Game 3 as top-six forward Val Nichushkin suddenly left the team (and left Seattle) for personal reasons.
Nothing has been said about what the issue is, nor is it known if he will play tonight. While his absence creates more of a need for the role players to step up, it also opens an interesting betting opportunity involving center J.T. Compher.
Through the first two games, Colorado's second-line center skated on a line with Nichushkin, plus Artturi Lehkonen for Game 1 and Mikko Rantanen for Game 2. He played more as a facilitator in those games, with just three total shot attempts at even-strength, but still managed to record five shots on goal in those games, including three in Game 2 as he was elevated to the top power play unit.
With Nichushkin out for Game 3, Compher was skating with Rantanen and grinder Matt Nieto — and he was more aggressive, recording three 5v5 shot attempts alone, looking more comfortable on the top PP, and logging three SOG again.
His shots-on-goal total for tonight is still set at 1.5, a number he's topped five times in his last seven contests overall. While it's carrying a bit of juice, given Rantanen will draw more attention at 5v5, Nieto is far from a triggerman, and Compher is still in the middle of that lethal power play, he's in a prime spot to record 2+ SOG again.
Compher's -145 price on O1.5 is also appealing considering defensemen Bowen Byram (-160) and Devon Toews (-180) are heavily juiced on their O1.5, Cale Makar is -160 for O2.5, and Nathan MacKinnon is -165 for 5+ shots.
My best bet: J.T. Compher Over 1.5 shots on goal (-145)
Not intended for use in MA.
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Avalanche vs Kraken Game 4 moneyline analysis
Colorado closed at -200 or shorter for both of the first two games on home ice, then went to just -140 for Game 3 in Seattle.
Seattle opened the scoring in Game 3, then Colorado scored three straight before the Kraken rallied to tie it heading into the third period. However, Colorado dismantled the Kraken in the final 20 minutes en route to a 6-4 win, and opened tonight's game anywhere from -150 to -170.
Saturday's win was just the second time Colorado has ever beaten Seattle by 2+ goals (the first was their inaugural matchup in November 2021), as the Avs are just 4-4 SU since then in the head-to-head, with the six goals also their highest output since that initial meeting.
However, the Avs' Game 1 loss was just their second in their last 11 games overall, so they are still playing much better hockey right now than the Kraken, who are now mired in a funk, losing four of their last five.
Avalanche vs Kraken Game 4 Over/Under analysis
Tonight's Over/Under of 6.0 is the second-highest total on the board, with Maple Leafs/Lightning at 6.5, while Devils/Rangers and Golden Knights/Jets are both at 5.5.
You'd think the Over would be a lock for this game, considering Colorado matched that mark itself in Game 3 and has been scoring goals in bunches to close out the season, but the Kraken have had a lot of success in containing the Avs' offense.
Saturday's contest was the first time since — no, not that initial meeting in November 2021 — the second h2h matchup between these franchises (in January 2022) that more than six goals were scored in a game.
The Under had cashed in six straight meetings prior to this playoff outburst, with three 6.5 totals and three at 6.0. Seattle goalie Philipp Grubauer gave up five goals Saturday (the Avs added an empty-netter) and eight total goals in the last two games, but he had allowed just seven total goals against in his six prior appearances.
Colorado netminder Alexandar Georgiev hasn't been sensational by any means, giving up 3+ goals in eight of his last 14 starts, but he does have a .910 SV% in that span.
Avalanche vs Kraken betting trend to know
J.T. Compher has 2+ shots on goal in five of his last seven games. Find more NHL betting trends for Avalanche vs. Kraken.
Avalanche vs Kraken Game 4 game info
| Location: | Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA |
| Date: | Monday, April 24, 2023 |
| Puck drop: | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TBS |
