Avalanche vs. Hurricanes NHL Predictions, Picks and Odds - Jan. 3

Two of the best teams in their respective conferences will clash when the Colorado Avalanche (first in Western Conference) visit the Carolina Hurricanes (third in Eastern Conference) on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. Avalanche (-135) at Hurricanes (+114) has a definite favorite, according to the moneyline odds.

Colorado earned a 6-1 home victory against the St. Louis Blues its last time out on Dec. 31. Nathan MacKinnon led the Avalanche with four points (two goals and two assists).

Carolina lost 7-5 at home against the Montreal Canadiens in its last game on Jan. 1. Sebastian Aho had five points (two goals and three assists) in that outing for the Hurricanes.

Prepare for this matchup by checking out our prediction for who will come out on top in Saturday's hockey action.

Avalanche vs. Hurricanes Predictions & Pick

For insights on the upcoming game between the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes, computer-calculated moneyline, over/under, and score predictions are below, sourced from Dunkel Index.

• Prediction: Hurricanes 4 - Avalanche 3
• Pick OU: Over 6.5 (Dunkel projecting 7.02 goals)
  

Pick with the best in the business! Get free picks for every game, every week at the Dunkel Index.

Avalanche vs. Hurricanes Moneylines

Take a peek below at the most recent moneylines for the Avalanche-Hurricanes game.

• Favorite: Avalanche (-135)
• Underdog: Hurricanes (+114)

Avalanche Betting Insights

• The Avalanche have won 78.9% of their games when favored on the moneyline this season (30-8).
• When playing with moneyline odds of -135 or shorter, Colorado has put together a 27-8 record (winning 77.1% of its games).
• Based on the moneyline in this matchup, the Avalanche's implied win probability is 57.4%.
• Colorado and its opponent have combined to score more than 6.5 goals in 17 of 39 games this season.

Hurricanes Betting Insights

• The Hurricanes have been made an underdog three times this season, and won once.
• Carolina has played as an underdog of +114 or more one time this season and won that game.
• The Hurricanes have a 46.7% chance to win this game based on the implied probability of the moneyline.
• Carolina has played 20 games this season that finished with more than 6.5 goals.

Avalanche Key Stats

• Colorado leads the NHL with 158 total goals (4.0 per game).
• The Avalanche have allowed 84 total goals (only 2.2 per game), ranking first in NHL play for the fewest goals against.
• Its goal differential (+74) leads the league.
• The 21 power-play goals the Avalanche have recorded this season (on 132 power-play chances) rank 22nd in the NHL.
• Colorado ranks 29th in the league with a 15.91% power-play conversion rate.
• The Avalanche have capitalized with one shorthanded goal this season (26th among NHL teams).
• Colorado kills 85.71% of opponent power plays, the best penalty-kill percentage in the league.
• Colorado wins 50.5% of its faceoffs (14th in NHL).
• The Avalanche shoot 11.7% as a team (sixth in the league).

Hurricanes Key Stats

• Carolina's 131 goals on the season (3.3 per game) rank ninth in the league.
• The Hurricanes' total of 120 goals given up (three per game) is 14th in the NHL.
• It has the sixth-best goal differential in the league at +11.
• The Hurricanes have 23 power-play goals (on 121 chances), 15th in the NHL.
• Carolina's power-play percentage (19.01) ranks the team 17th in the league.
• The Hurricanes have four shorthanded goals (seventh in NHL).
• Carolina's has the 19th-ranked penalty-kill percentage (79.82%).
• Carolina wins 49.6% of faceoffs, 19th-ranked in the NHL.
• The 10.2% shooting percentage of the Hurricanes is 23rd in the league.