Colorado Avalanche vs Florida Panthers prediction, Picks and Prediction, Sunday, January 4, 2025
The Colorado Avalanche face the Florida Panthers with both teams in different spots as the second half gets underway. The Avalanche have a 30-2-7 record, which is the best in the NHL. The Panthers are 21-16-3 and six wins in their last 10 games put them back int the playoff picture but they look to rebound from an embarrassing 5-1 loss in the Winter Classic. Who will win this matchup? Check out our Avalanche vs Panthers prediction!
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Colorado has been incredible across the board
The Avalanche are having a great season with their offense leading the way, scoring 4.05 goals per game. Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, and Artturi Lehkonen have scored 67 goals and 86 assists to lead the top two lines while Cale Makar has added 12 goals and 33 assists from the point to pt the offense over the top.
The offense has been incredible while the defense is also one of the league’s best, allowing only 2.15 goals per game. Cale Makar and Devon Toews have combined for 6.8 defensive point shares while Josh Manson and Brent Burns have combined for 5.3 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. The Avalanche playing the second of a back-to-back; the hope is that Trent Miner steps up as he’ll make his second start in the NHL this season after allowing four goals in his previous showing.
Key injury report for Avalanche
- MacKenzie Backwood has been placed on injured reserve. Is the starting goaltender for the Avalanche.
Panthers will lean on potent offense
The Panthers are having a rocky season but their offense has been a bright spot, scoring 3.13 goals per game. Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart have scored 46 goals and 44 assists while Anton Lundell, Sam Bennett, and Carter Verhaeghe have combined for 37 goals and 52 assists to allow the Panthers to come at teams in waves.
The offense has stepped up but the defense has struggled, allowing 3.20 goals per game including eight goals in their last two games. Niko Mikkola and Gustav Forsling have combined for 4.1 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. Additionally, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has struggled in his recent starts, allowing 10 goals in his last three.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Tony Karpinski | +2,494.00 |
| 2 |  Joe Duffy | +1,859.00 |
| 3 |  The Insiders Room | +1,788.00 |
| 4 |  Mark Ruelle | +1,428.00 |
| 5 |  Jackie Mack | +1,400.00 |
Key injury report for Panthers
- Seth Jones is day-to-day. Is a key part of the defense.
- Matthew Tkachuk (groin) remains on injured reserve. Is a key part of the forward unit.
Avalanche vs Panthers Pick
Money Line Pick For Avalanche vs Panthers
- Avalanche (-120) (4 units)
The Panthers are eager to bounce back from a rough Winter Classic loss but the Avalanche are having a great season and look to take over this game from the first period. The Avalanche should pile on the goals against the Panthers, who allow 3.20 goals per game, with Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone while creating open shots with quick passes. The Avalanche, who allow only 2.15 goals per game, should limit the Panthers offense with Cale Makar, Devon Toews, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in all three zones while goaltender Trent Miner steps up and blanks the shots on the net. The Avalanche should win the game with a strong performance on the road.
Take the Avalanche money line as road Favorites.
Over/Under Pick For Avalanche vs Panthers
- Over 6.5 (5 Units)
Both teams have great offenses that look to make this game a high-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Panthers, who average 3.13 goals per game, should constantly find the back of the net with Sam Reinhart, Brad Marchand, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone while creating open shots with quick passes. The Avalanche, who average 4.05 goals per game, should run up the score against the Panthers, who have allowed eight goals in their last two games, with Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, Artturi Lehkonen, and the rest of the forward unit establishing a strong offensive zone presence while creating open shots with effective puck movement as Cale Makar picks apart the Panthers defense from the point. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.
Take the Over on 6.5 goals.
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