10* Colorado (Time TBD): It’s important to note that the official start time of this game is still being worked out. It’s contingent on the results of Friday and how many (if any) qualification series are still ongoing. Regardless of WHEN the puck drops, I like the Avalanche in this battle for the #1 seed in the Western Conference. Both they and the Golden Knights are 2-0. But Vegas has had to come back from multi-goal deficits in both games. Colorado had the “buzzer-beater” against St. Louis, but then turned in a dominant 4-0 win over Dallas on Wednesday, which was another game where we backed the Avs.

In position to grab the top seed in the West, one could argue the Avs are deserving of being in this spot. They owned the best goal differential among Western Conference teams before the lockdown (+46). League-wide, only the Bruins and Lightning outscored their opponents by a wider margin. The Avs have also been an exceptional road team all year long with a league-best 26-11-2 SU record (including the bubble).

The underdog is 4-0 SU the past four head-to-head meetings between these two clubs. Unfortunately for Vegas, they were the favorite in all four games! Earlier this year, the Avs dealt them two blowout losses with a 13-4 goal advantage. Now Colorado lines up as the favorite. That the Golden Knights have given up seven goals in two games is a bit concerning. The Avs have allowed just one and bring a five-period shutout streak into Saturday’s showdown. I look for Colorado to earn the #1 seed. 10* Colorado