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Florida (15-12-2) at Colorado (21-2-7)
- When: Dec 11 2025, 9:30 PM
- Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO, USA
- TV: ESPN
Florida vs Colorado NHL Preview & Pick
Moneyline: Colorado -240
Spread: Colorado -1.5 (+105)
Total: 6.5
Colorado Avalanche
If the Avalanche were any hotter, Denver would have to file a noise complaint with the sun. Colorado enters the night as a -240 moneyline favorite, which is a polite way of saying the books fully expect them to handle business even if they show up half asleep and wearing flip flops. They have only two regulation losses in 30 games and somehow still cannot shake the Dallas Stars breathing down their necks like an overeager golden retriever.
The Avs have been on a 16-1-3 heater that makes the stock market look stable, and they lead the entire sport in both goals scored and goals allowed. That should mean world domination, perfection, parades and possibly a visit from Stanley himself. But then comes the power play, which has been about as productive as a printer that jams for fun. Despite Nathan MacKinnon scoring at a pace that suggests he might be fueled by rocket fuel, Colorado sits 24th in power play success.
Coach Jared Bednar has already tried three different power play combinations. Three. At that point you start wondering if you need a fourth unit made entirely of the Zamboni driver and enthusiastic season ticket holders. Fortunately, the Avs are so good at everything else that even a power play operating at slightly better than furniture assembly speed has not slowed them down much.
Florida Panthers
Florida arrives for the second game of a back to back, which means they will either look sharp or look like they accidentally wandered into the arena thinking it was a hotel lobby. They just beat the Utah Mammoth in a tight 4-3 game, and Carter Verhaeghe is playing like fatherhood gave him superpowers. The man has returned from baby duty scoring at will, hitting the scoresheet so often that the scorekeeper is surely on a first name basis with him by now.
Florida has solid scoring depth and a physical style, but playing high powered Colorado in Denver the night after another game tends to go about as well as trying to jog up a mountain after eating an entire pizza. They will compete, they will hit, they will skate fast, and then eventually the altitude and Colorado’s firepower will arrive like an overdue bill.
Prediction
Colorado keeps rolling, Florida puts up a respectable fight, and the power play probably leaves everyone scratching their heads again. The Total is 6.5, and with both teams firing offensively, this one has goals written all over it.
Score Prediction: Avalanche 5, Panthers 3
Pick: Colorado -1.5 (+105)
Total: Over 6.5 (+100)
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
