New Jersey (32-21-6) at Colorado (33-24-2)
- When: Feb 26 2025, 9:30 PM
- Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO, USA
- TV: MSGSN
Game Preview
Colorado Favored at -138, Total Set at 5.5
The Colorado Avalanche return home on Wednesday night looking to get back on track after a slow start coming out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break. They face off against the New Jersey Devils, a team that has been wildly inconsistent, alternating wins and losses for the past several weeks.
With Colorado -138 ML favored at home and the total set at 5.5, bettors will need to weigh the Avalanche’s offensive struggles against the Devils’ streaky form. Can Colorado’s home-ice advantage and potential return of Valeri Nichushkin spark a turnaround, or will New Jersey’s recent shutout win give them the momentum needed to pull off the upset?
Colorado Avalanche: Searching for an Offensive Spark
The Avalanche (32-22-3) are coming off back-to-back losses, managing just one goal in each game against Nashville and St. Louis. The lack of scoring has further complicated their playoff positioning, as they are now battling to stay above the wild-card cutoff in the Western Conference.
One of the biggest missing pieces for Colorado has been Valeri Nichushkin, who has been out since December 31 with a lower-body injury. However, he practiced with the team on Tuesday, and while head coach Jared Bednar did not confirm his return, he did leave the door open.
“He’s a possibility for (Wednesday),” Bednar said. “He’s one of the top players in the league, so getting him back — when we get him back — will be helpful.”
Even though Nichushkin has only played 21 games this season, he still ranks fifth on the team in goals (11), showing just how much Colorado has missed his offensive presence.
Despite the recent slump, the Avalanche still boast one of the NHL’s most dynamic offenses, led by Nathan MacKinnon (21 goals, 66 assists, 87 points). Cale Makar (22 goals, 42 assists) leads all defensemen in scoring, while Artturi Lehkonen (23 goals) and Martin Necas (20 goals) provide additional firepower.
Colorado also returns home after a long road trip, playing their first home game since February 2. They open a six-game homestand, which could provide the perfect opportunity to reset and build momentum.
Key Betting Trends for Colorado:
Avalanche are 8-2 in their last 10 home games.
Colorado has hit the Over in 7 of its last 10 games as a home favorite.
The Avalanche are 1-4 in their last five games overall.
New Jersey Devils: Can Their Inconsistency Work in Their Favor?
The Devils (30-23-4) come into this matchup fresh off a dominant 5-0 road win over Nashville, but they have been one of the NHL’s most inconsistent teams over the past month. Since the end of January, New Jersey has not won or lost consecutive games, making them difficult to predict.
Offensively, the Devils rely heavily on their top trio of Jack Hughes (26 goals, 42 assists), Jesper Bratt (17 goals, 51 assists), and Nico Hischier (24 goals, 22 assists). However, beyond those three, New Jersey has lacked secondary scoring, making them vulnerable if their top stars aren’t producing.
Hughes did not participate in practice on Tuesday after playing four games in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, but he is expected to be in the lineup Wednesday.
Goaltending has been a major bright spot for New Jersey, especially with Nico Daws coming off his first NHL shutout in the win over the Predators. Daws has been outstanding in his limited starts this season, posting a 2-0-0 record with a 0.84 GAA and a .986 save percentage.
“He was unreal,” defenseman Dougie Hamilton said of Daws’ shutout. “We gave up some chances, some looks, and they were playing hard. We just capitalized on some chances.”
With Daws playing well and New Jersey’s tendency to bounce back after losses, the Devils should not be overlooked as a potential upset pick.
Key Betting Trends for New Jersey:
Devils are 6-3 in their last nine road games.
New Jersey has won 4 of its last 5 games against Western Conference opponents.
The Devils are 1-4 in their last five meetings vs. Colorado.
Game Prediction & Best Bets
This game features two teams in very different spots—Colorado looking to rebound from back-to-back losses and New Jersey trying to find consistency. The Avalanche’s home-ice advantage and potential return of Nichushkin could provide a much-needed boost, but New Jersey has been strong on the road and has a hot goaltender in Daws.
Given Colorado’s recent scoring struggles, this could be a tighter game than expected, making the Under 5.5 a strong play. While Colorado should have the edge at home, don’t be surprised if New Jersey keeps it close into the final minutes.
Best Bets:
Colorado Moneyline (-138) – The Avalanche play their best hockey at home, and a returning Nichushkin could provide the offensive spark they need.
Under 5.5 Goals – Both teams have struggled to find consistency offensively, and Daws’ recent form in net could keep this a low-scoring battle.
Final Score Prediction: Colorado 3, New Jersey 2
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
