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Nashville (22-20-4) at Colorado (33-4-8)
- When: Jan 16 2026, 9:00 PM
- Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO, USA
- TV: ALT
Nashville vs Colorado NHL Preview & Pick
Moneyline: Colorado -310
Spread: Colorado -1.5 (-120)
Total: 6.5
Colorado Avalanche Breakdown
Colorado almost never loses at home, and when they do, it feels like the hockey gods accidentally spilled coffee on the control panel. Their home winning streak finally snapped earlier this week, which is bad news for Nashville because angry Colorado tends to respond like a supercomputer discovering emotions.
The Avalanche are still undefeated in regulation at home, which is absurd this far into the season. Every other team has stubbed their toe multiple times on home ice, yet Colorado keeps skating around like they own the building, the parking lot, and probably the mountain behind it.
This team leads the league in both scoring and overall wins while playing fewer games than everyone else. That is the hockey equivalent of finishing your work early and still getting employee of the month. Nathan MacKinnon continues to play like someone challenged him to score every time he touches the puck. Cale Makar remains a defenseman in name only because he clearly thinks he is a forward. The offense is relentless, the defense is tight, and the goaltending has been quietly elite.
Colorado is listed as a heavy moneyline favorite at minus three hundred ten, which tells you everything you need to know about how this matchup is viewed. The total sits at 6.5, and with the way Colorado plays at home, the Avalanche usually do their part by themselves.
Nashville Predators Breakdown
Nashville deserves credit for not folding the tent earlier this season. They were buried in the standings, dusted themselves off, and suddenly remembered how to play competent hockey. Now they are hanging around the playoff picture like someone who shows up late to the party but still wants cake.
Ryan O Reilly has been steady, Filip Forsberg and Steven Stamkos provide offense, and Juuse Saros has been sharp lately. Nashville has won more games recently, but context matters. Winning tight games is one thing. Walking into Colorado and trying to survive is another.
This is also the tail end of a tough travel stretch for Nashville, which is never ideal. Legs get heavy, mistakes creep in, and Colorado loves to punish tired teams. The Predators will battle, but they are stepping into a matchup where everything tilts against them.
Betting Breakdown and Prediction
Colorado is a massive favorite for a reason. They dominate at home, score in bunches, and rarely give teams hope once the momentum swings. Nashville has been respectable, but respectable does not usually beat elite on the road.
The total of 6.5 feels fair, but Colorado games at home have a habit of escalating quickly if the opponent falls behind early. Expect Nashville to compete early before Colorado turns up the pace.
This feels like a statement bounce back spot for the Avalanche after their rare home stumble.
Score Prediction: Avalanche 5, Predators 2
Pick: Colorado -1.5 (-120)
Total: Over 6.5 (-108)
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
