Avalanche vs Golden Knights Odds and Picks on April 28th
- The Vegas Golden Knights are 1.5-goal home favorites against the Colorado Avalanche for their April 28th meeting that will help decide first place in the West Division
- NBC Sports Network will broadcast the game Wednesday at 9:30 PM EST
- Here are the odds, lines, picks, and analysis for the game
A variety of statistical comparisons show the Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights to be evenly matched this season in the NHL competition. However, Vegas is favored in the Avalanche vs Golden Knights odds on April 28th, 2021.
The Golden Knights have a four-point lead in the West Division, but the Avalanche have a game in hand. The two teams have played four games in Denver, and each has won twice there. The Avs and Golden Knights have split the four games played thus far in Las Vegas.
The Avalanche score an average of 3.52 goals per game, and Vegas is close behind at 3:38. The Golden Knights rank first in the NHL with a 2.15 goals-against average, and the Avalanche are third at 2.41. You can see a pattern here.
The Golden Knights are -127 favorite’s, but the game looks like a toss-up by statistical comparison.
One factor that plays in the Golden Knights’ favor: They are still being undermined by COVID-19.
Avalanche vs Golden Knights Odds – April 28th
| Team | Moneyline at DraftKings | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | +108 | +1.5 (-240) | O 5.5 (-120) |
| Vegas Golden Knights | -127 | -1.5 (+195) | U 5.5 (-103) |
Odds as of April 27th
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Fleury Has Proven His Value Once Again
Marc-Andre Fleury has gone from being odd-man-out in the Vegas net to being a possible contender for the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s best goalie.
The Golden Knights signed Robin Lehner with the idea he might be their goalie moving forward. But after they were unable to deal Fleury, he played too sharply to allow coach Pete DeBoer to hand the net over to Lehner.
One reason why the Golden Knights are one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup is that Fleury has posted a 2.09 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage. He has started 31 of the Golden Knights’ 46 games. He is 4-0 in his last four starts with a .942 save percentage.
If Marc-Andre Fleury plays one game in the playoffs, he will become the first goalie in NHL history to skate in 15 consecutive postseasons (via @PR_NHL). He’s also the NHL's active leader in playoff wins (81) and games played (146)#VegasBorn
— Justin Emerson (@J15Emerson) April 22, 2021
MacKinnon Hot at the Right Time
It’s not challenging to understand that if you hope to take down the Colorado Avalanche you have to find a way to slow slick skating center, Nathan MacKinnon.
Nobody has been able to do that lately.
Only one player in @Avalanche / Nordiques history has recorded more point streaks of 14+ games than Nathan Mackinnon. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/PUtPfQxqqS
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 27, 2021
MacKinnon currently holds a 14-game point scoring streak. During the surge, MacKinnon has nine goals and 16 assists for 25 points. The Avs are 9-4-1 during his point fest, which has included eight multiple point games. At 25, he seems primed to have a monstrous post-season. He’s the kind of dynamic performer that can win a game by himself.
Avalanche Have Health Concerns
Colorado wing Brandon Saad (lower body) will be out of the lineup for two to four weeks, and No. 1 goalie Philipp Grubauer (Covid-19) isn’t expected to play. Saad has 15 goals and has been a strong addition for the Avalanche this season.
Forward Joonas Donskoi remains on the Avalanche COVID-19 list. Mikko Rantanen has been removed from the COVID-19 list, and he may play against the Golden Knights.
Colorado starting goaltender Philipp Grubauer has been ruled out for Wednesday’s big matchup in Vegas. https://t.co/wJeZpDGcE1
— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) April 27, 2021
For Vegas, right wings Reilly Smith and Keegan Kolesar will be game-time decisions. Nicolas Roy is day-to-day, and Tomas Nosek will return before the end of the regular season.
Avalanche vs Golden Knights Best Bet
These two teams are comparable on paper, but Grubauer’s absence from the lineup shifts the advantage heavily to the Golden Knights. Vegas leads the NHL with a .923 team save percentage.
Grubauer has a .920 save percentage this season. His backup, Devan Dubnyk, owns a .899 save percentage this season. One negative to ponder: Vegas is 23-24 against the spread this season.
Pick: Golden Knights -1.5 (+195)
Kevin Allen has covered most major events, including the Olympics, Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final. He covered the NHL for USA Today from 1986-2020, receiving the Lester Patrick Award in 2013 and was honored by the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014 with the Elmer Ferguson Award.
