Philadelphia (23-24-6) at Colorado (30-21-2)
- When: Feb 2 2025, 3:00 PM
- Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO, USA
- TV: ESPN+
Game Preview
Moneyline: Colorado -215 | Total: 6.0
The Colorado Avalanche are riding high after a dominant win on Friday, and they’ll look to keep the momentum rolling as they welcome the struggling Philadelphia Flyers to Denver on Sunday night. With both teams adjusting to roster shakeups, this matchup presents an interesting opportunity for bettors.
Colorado Avalanche: Gaining Momentum After Roster Shakeup
The Avalanche (29-15-4) snapped out of a slump in emphatic fashion with a 5-0 rout of St. Louis on Friday. It was Colorado’s first home game since trading star forward Mikko Rantanen to Carolina in a blockbuster deal that brought in Martin Necas and Jack Drury.
So far, the trade has paid dividends. Necas has been an immediate difference-maker, tallying five points in four games, including a goal on Friday. Skating alongside Nathan MacKinnon, who leads the NHL with 79 points, Necas is quickly proving to be a strong addition to the Avs’ top line.
Meanwhile, Drury has added two goals, and the team as a whole looks re-energized. The power play, which had gone cold in recent weeks, broke through with two goals against St. Louis, including one from Cale Makar, who leads all defensemen with 19 goals and 57 points.
Key Factors for Colorado:
Strong at home: The Avs are 17-5-0 in Denver this season.
MacKinnon’s dominance: He leads the NHL in assists (60) and is on a seven-game point streak.
Improved power play: Colorado’s man advantage has struggled but looked lethal in their last outing.
Colorado already edged Philadelphia 3-2 in their first meeting on Nov. 18, thanks to two goals from Makar. The Avs will aim for another win, this time without Rantanen, who contributed two assists in that victory.
Philadelphia Flyers: Searching for Offense Amid Trade Moves
Philadelphia (26-20-6) has been struggling to find the back of the net, and their recent trade activity has further complicated their offensive outlook.
The Flyers shipped Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee to Calgary in exchange for Andrei Kuzmenko, Jakob Pelletier, and draft picks. With Frost ranked fourth in team scoring (25 points), his absence could leave a noticeable gap.
Travis Konecny (58 points) continues to lead the Flyers offensively, while Matvei Michkov (34 points) and Owen Tippett (30 points) have been solid contributors. However, Philadelphia has been held scoreless in back-to-back games and has been outscored 19-6 over their last five contests.
Key Factors for Philadelphia:
Scoring drought: The Flyers have been shut out in consecutive games.
Road struggles: Philadelphia has lost four of its last five overall.
New pieces adjusting: Kuzmenko and Pelletier may need time to settle into their roles.
Flyers center Scott Laughton didn’t sugarcoat his team’s recent struggles:
“It’s not good enough at this time of year. We’ve got to find some traction here before it goes too far the other way.”
With Jakub Voracek and Emil Andrae recalled from the minors, Philadelphia hopes for a spark, but it won’t be easy against an Avalanche team that is dominant at home.
Betting Prediction & Final Thoughts
Colorado is the clear favorite in this matchup, and rightfully so. The Avalanche are a powerhouse at home, boast elite offensive weapons, and have the momentum of a dominant win behind them. Meanwhile, the Flyers’ offense has completely disappeared, and adjusting to new personnel mid-season is never easy.
Expect MacKinnon and Necas to keep the pressure on, while Makar remains a threat from the blue line. Philadelphia’s scoring issues won’t be solved overnight, and going against a surging Avalanche team in high-altitude conditions won’t make things any easier.
Final Score Prediction: Colorado 4, Philadelphia 1
Best Bets:
✔️ Colorado -1.5 Puck Line
✔️ Under 6.0 Total Goals
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
