Two sides who have had their problems in recent weeks clash at the Ball Arena on Tuesday night, and here we look ahead to the match between the struggling Colorado Avalanche and the Philadelphia Flyers in our free NHL betting picks.
Despite their struggles, the Colorado Avalanche are still one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup in 2023. Jared Bednar’s team are +650 to retain the trophy they won last season with the best NHL betting sites, which makes them second in the betting behind the Boston Bruins.
The Boston Bruins are having a season to savor at the moment. They currently sit top of the Atlantic Division with 45 points from 27 matches. Not only are they the favorites to win the 2023 Stanley Cup (+500), but they are also favored in the NHL futures markets to also win the Atlantic Division (-300), and the Eastern Conference (+275).
But despite such early season dominance, the Bruins aren’t streets ahead of the Avalanche in the betting, in the way that might be expected. This is because the Aves have a lengthy injury list. And it’s thanks to these injuries that they have struggled this season. So when Jared Bednar gets all his main players back, both the situation at the Ball Arena, and the odds are likely to change.
This seems to be what’s holding up their odds. As it’s certainly not their current form and position (3rd) in the Central Division.
The above odds are taken from BetOnline. You can read more about this bookmaker in our BetOnline sportsbook review, where you will find more details about their latest new customer offer. Also, please check out our below table for more Vegas 2023 Stanley Cup winner odds.
| Stanley Cup Winner Betting 2023 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Bruins | +500 | +500 | +500 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +650 | +650 | +650 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +900 | +900 | +900 |
| New Jersey Devils | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +1000 | +1000 | +950 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +1400 | +1300 | +1200 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +1600 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Florida Panthers | +1800 | +1800 | +1700 |
| Calgary Flames | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| New York Rangers | +2200 | +1900 | +2000 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +2200 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Dallas Stars | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
The Avalanche have had a horrible time of things lately. In their last ten matches they are 4-5-1, and they have lost four of their last five. The four match losing streak was brought to an end on Sunday when they defeated the Blues 3-2 after overtime in Missouri.
The Avalanche has Mikko Rantanen to thank for the win. He scored a hat-trick in the match, including a last-gasp goal in the dying seconds to send the match into overtime. On such fine margins can seasons and fortunes change. If Rantanen doesn’t score that second goal to draw the match in overtime, the Avalanche are on a run of five straight defeats.
Due to Rantanen’s heroics, they are now looking for their second successive win instead. Win this, and it could be just the ignition that Jared Bednar’s team have been looking for to get their season firing again in recent weeks.
As for the Flyers, they’re on a losing streak of three, and are looking to move away from the foot of the Metropolitan Division. They are only separated from the bottom spot by the Blue Jackets, who have found some form lately and will be hoping to climb off the bottom in the coming days.
In their last ten matches, Philadelphia’s record reads 2-5-3, and across the season to date, their record is 9-13-7. Their last three defeats have been at the hands of the Coyotes (5-4/OT), the Golden Knights (2-1/OT), and the Washington Capitals (4-1). Only the Capitals have thrashed them in that period. And the two most recent losses both were in overtime, showing that their form could be worse.
But after two demoralizing overtime defeats, are they in any position to challenge the Avalanche at the Ball Arena?
The best NHL betting sites also seem to be of that conclusion as they make the Avalanche favorites to win on the moneyline. Jared Bednar’s Avalanche are -215 to win with BetOnline, who also make the Flyers +193.
On the handicap line, the Flyers have the +1.5 goals start, and that also sees them start as favorites. The Flyers are -140, with the Avalanche at +120. On the total goals spread, the marker is set at 6 goals. Over 6 is +102, with under 6 at -113.
It’s hard to make a case for the Flyers to win, so that immediately rules them out on the moneyline. Onto the handicap line, and I’m very reluctant to place any bet on a Flyers win at odds against. And this despite them only losing their last two in overtime.
So, for my first NHL betting pick, I’m going for the Avalanche to win on the moneyline at +120. I think that is the best value bet of all available options.
And on the total points spread, I’m going for under 6. Both teams have had more low scoring games than high in recent days, and I’m expecting that trend to continue.
