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The Colorado Avalanche will look to even their series with the Vegas Golden Knights on home ice Friday night.
They’re heavily favored to do just that, which is why my Golden Knights vs. Avalanche goal scorer predictions lean towards the home team.
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Let’s dig deeper into my NHL picks for May 23.
Golden Knights vs Avalanche goal scorer predictions for Game 2
|
Player to score |
Odds |
|---|---|
|
Nathan MacKinnon |
-110 |
|
Nazem Kadri |
+265 |
|
Jack Eichel |
+215 |
|
💲Goal scorer parlay: Nathan MacKinnon, Nazem Kadri, Jack Eichel |
+1200 |
Goal scorer pick: Nathan MacKinnon (-110)
Nathan MacKinnon posted a game-high nine shot attempts in the series opener while logging more ice time than any other Colorado Avalanche forward.
Head coach Jared Bednar did his best to make life easier on MacKinnon, starting 10 of his shifts in the offensive zone (compared to two in the defensive zone) and keeping him on for 18 offensive zone draws. No forward on the team had more.
The Avalanche can’t afford to go down 0-2 heading back to Vegas, so I expect this will be a “kitchen sink” game. MacKinnon could flirt with 24-25 minutes in regulation alone.
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For reference, MacKinnon has averaged 5.4 shots on 10.3 attempts over his last 10 playoff games when playing 24+ minutes.
Given the remarkably strong volume he’s likely heading for, MacKinnon has a strong chance of finding the net.
Goal scorer pick: Nazem Kadri (+265)
Nazem Kadri was a force in the series opener. The Avalanche generated more shot attempts, scoring chances, and expected goals with him on the ice than any other forward on the roster. He lived in the offensive zone, and tested Carter Hart often as a result.
Kadri had five shot attempts, four shots on goal, and a couple rebound looks during his 5-on-5 minutes. He was also credited with Colorado’s only Grade A chance on the power play.
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He was a thorn in the side of the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Avalanche will be able to chase the same matchups again in Game 2 with last change on home ice.
Not to mention, Kadri ranks first on the Avalanche in shots on goal, scoring chances, and high-danger looks over their past four home games.
Goal scorer pick: Jack Eichel (+215)
The Golden Knights led for the majority of Game 1, and never trailed, so Jack Eichel wasn’t ever under much pressure to force the issue offensively and take chances.
Even so, he still led the team in 5-on-5 scoring chances. They just didn’t find the net.
Eichel leads the team in attempts (70), shots (38), and has generated 5.03 expected goals yet scored only one goal. He’s getting looks consistently but has been held back by a 2.63% finishing rate.
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He scores on more than 10% of his shots year after year so this is a string of bad luck more than anything performance related. The tide is going to turn sooner rather than later, and a better performance from the Avalanche in Game 2 would force Eichel to shoot more frequently.
Golden Knights vs Avalanche anytime goal parlay (+1200)
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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