Avalanche vs Predators Prediction, Prop Picks & Odds (Dec. 9)

• The NHL’s best team visits one of its worst as Colorado travels to Nashville on Tuesday night
• Scott Wedgewood returns from injury to start for the Avalanche against Juuse Saros
• See my Avalanche vs Predators predictions below, plus odds and best prop picks for December 9th

The Avalanche visit the Predators on Tuesday night with a chance to extend their lead atop the Central Division. Colorado (21-2-6) comes in riding a 4-1-0 stretch in their last five, fresh off a 3-2 win over Philadelphia. Nashville (10-14-4) sits dead last in the division after dropping a 6-3 decision to Carolina on Friday.

Puck drop is set for 9:30 PM ET at Bridgestone Arena. The Avalanche get Scott Wedgewood back between the pipes, while the Predators continue searching for any offensive consistency.

Here’s my prediction for tonight’s Avs vs Preds matchup, along with some prop picks and NHL betting odds.

Avalanche vs Predators Prediction

• Best Bet: Under 6.5 goals (-135 at DraftKings)

My prediction for Avs vs Preds on Tuesday is under 6.5 goals, available at -135 on DraftKings. Colorado’s played in lower-scoring games lately, with the under cashing in seven of their last nine. They’re on their fourth road game in six nights, which typically means they lean on structure and defense rather than pushing the pace.

The Avalanche have held opponents to two goals or fewer in seven of their last eight games. Wedgewood returns with a 13-1-3 record, 2.07 GAA, and .920 save percentage. He’s been shutting teams down all season, and Nashville’s anemic offense (2.61 goals per game, 29th in NHL) isn’t the group to break through.

Nashville’s been better defensively in their last 10 games, ranking top-10 in shot suppression and expected goals against at 5-on-5. They’re playing a tighter defensive system that keeps games low-scoring. When these teams met on November 22nd, it finished 3-0 with two empty-netters. The actual game was 1-0 until the final minutes.

Matchup Breakdown

Colorado ranks first in the NHL in both goals for and goals against per game. But on the road, they’ve been held to three goals or fewer in six straight and nine of their last 12 away from home. The Avs aren’t running up the score on the road like they do at Ball Arena.

Over their last 10 games at 5-on-5, Colorado’s controlling 57.48% of expected goals while generating 26.7 xGF and allowing just 19.74 xGA. They’re finishing high-danger chances at 15.93% and getting a 91.11% save percentage in those situations. Everything points to them winning a tight, defensive game.

Nashville’s improved defensively lately, but still sits at 53.40% expected goals share over their last 10. Their bigger issue is goaltending. That 85.71% save percentage in high-danger situations over their last 10 games is brutal, but Colorado likely won’t generate enough volume to push this over, given their road trends and schedule spot.

Nathan MacKinnon leads Colorado with 49 points in 29 games. Martin Necas is a game-time decision with illness, which could further slow down the Avs offense if he sits. For Nashville, Luke Evangelista’s been their only consistent offensive threat with 6 points in his last five games.

Avalanche vs Predators Odds

The Avalanche opened at -225 and ticked down to around -205 at some books, with sharp money coming in on Nashville. I’m not chasing that line movement. Colorado’s road dominance (10-2-4) and Nashville’s home struggles (6-8-2) justify the price.

The puck line at +110 offers value if you trust Colorado to win by multiple goals like they did three weeks ago. But I prefer the under given the scheduling spot and defensive trends.

Avalanche vs Predators Prop Picks

NHL player prop odds as of Dec. 9 at Caesars Sportsbook. Shop our top recommended NHL betting apps for player props.

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Best NHL Prop Picks

Luke Evangelista Over 0.5 Points (+114)

I’m backing Luke Evangelista over 0.5 points at +114 as my top prop play. He’s recorded points in six of his last seven games while averaging 17:12 of ice time. Over Nashville’s last 10 games, he leads the team with 2.95 expected goals, showing he’s generating quality chances.

Evangelista is skating on the top line with O’Reilly and Stamkos, a unit that’s scored 4.42 goals per 60 in their 54.3 minutes together this season. Even against Colorado’s elite defense, plus money on a player this hot is worth taking.

Jonathan Marchessault Under 0.5 Points (-190)

I’m also playing Jonathan Marchessault under 0.5 points at -190 despite the heavy juice. He’s gone pointless in 11 of Nashville’s last 13 games, generating just 1.7 expected goals during that stretch. His ice time dropped to just 12 minutes against Carolina, signaling the coaching staff has lost confidence in him.

Colorado allows the fewest goals per game in the NHL at 2.17, and Marchessault’s just not getting the minutes or chances to break through. This line should be closer to -250 given his current usage and recent play.

Gabriel Landeskog Under 0.5 Points (+120)

Gabriel Landeskog under 0.5 points at +120 is my final prop pick tonight. He’s got just three points in Colorado’s 16 road games this season compared to 11 points in 13 home games. His road/home splits are massive, and he’s averaging just 0.3 expected goals per game away from Ball Arena.

Landy has been held pointless through the first three games of this current road trip, and I don’t expect that to change tonight. Getting plus money on this trend is solid value.

How to Watch Avalanche vs Predators

Tuesday’s game starts at 9:30 PM ET from Bridgestone Arena. TNT, truTV, HBO Max, Sportsnet, and Altitude will carry the broadcast. This closes out a full 10-game Tuesday NHL slate.