Colorado Avalanche vs Carolina Hurricanes Picks and Predictions November 9th 2024

Hurricanes look to extend NHL-best win streak at Avalanche

Planning on watching today’s Hurricanes and Avalanche game? Catch the action at Ball Arena in Denver, CO, as the Avalanche hosts this showdown at 9:00 ET on ESPN+. The Hurricanes are favored by -1.5 goals in this non-conference contest against the Avalanche. The game’s over/under currently sits at 6.5 goals.

Carolina vs. Colorado Key Information

• Teams: Hurricanes at Avalanche
• Where: Ball Arena Denver
• Date: Saturday, November 9th
• Betting Odds CAR -127 | COL +108 O/U 6.5

The Hurricanes Can Win If…

Carolina improved to 10-2-0 with a 4-2 win over the Capitals. The Hurricanes covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total line of 6 goals resulted in a push.

Carolina took a 1-0 lead in the first period, but the Capitals responded with two goals before the period ended. The Hurricanes scored the final three goals, including an empty-netter, to secure the victory.

Dmitry Orlov led the way for the Hurricanes with two goals on three shots in their 4-2 win over the Capitals. Orlov’s second goal came in the second period, while Martin Necas added his 6th goal of the season and picked up his 12th assist on Orlov’s first goal. Andrei Svechnikov closed out the scoring with an empty-netter, his 6th goal of the year.

Despite scoring four times, Carolina fired 45 shots on goal and had 14 giveaways. They were held scoreless on the power play and managed just one goal in the first period before adding two in the second and one in the third.

Carolina’s defense gave up two late goals in the first period, but they tightened up after that, not allowing another goal. Pyotr Kochetkov made 19 saves with a 90.5% save percentage, and the defense added 7 takeaways and 10 hits.

• The Hurricanes have posted a 3-0 record in their previous three games. In these games, they have a 3-0 record vs the puck line and an over-under mark of 1-1-1.
• Carolina has put together a record of 9-1 in their last ten games (regular season). Across these games, their puck line record was just 8-2, while posting an over-under record of 4-4-2.

The Avalanche Can Win If…

With a 5-2 loss to the Predators, the Avalanche dropped to 6-8-0 this season. As underdogs on the puck line, the total of 7 goals surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5.

Colorado took the lead with a goal at 17:06 in the second period, but Nashville responded with five unanswered goals. The Avalanche’s defense struggled, allowing two empty-net goals in the third period.

In a 5-2 loss to Nashville, the Avalanche took 30 shots on goal, with Cale Makar netting his 5th goal of the season on a power play and Nathan MacKinnon adding his 6th. Makar also recorded his 16th assist, while MacKinnon picked up his 14th assist on Makar’s goal.

After a scoreless first period, Makar opened the scoring at 17:06 in the second, and MacKinnon’s goal came with 2:17 left in the third. The Avalanche had 23 giveaways in the game.

Defensively, the Avalanche will look to bounce back after giving up five goals to the Predators. Justus Annunen made 21 saves with a save percentage of 87.5%. Colorado’s defense also recorded 11 takeaways and 26 hits. The Avalanche took a 1-0 lead in the second period, but they gave up two goals late in the third, both of which were empty-netters.

• Over their last three regular season games, the Avalanche have gone 1-2 straight up. Against the spread, they have a strong mark of 2-1 along with an over-under record of 2-1.
• Colorado has put together a record of 6-4 in their last ten games (regular season). The team’s record vs the puck line was just 4-6, in addition to an over-under mark of 6-4.

The Lean

When it comes to a moneyline wager, I’m going with the Hurricanes to defeat the Avalanche while playing on the road. Given the current moneyline odds at -127, I’m placing a wager on the Hurricanes to win outright.

My recommended pick for the puck line is to take the Avalanche to cover. Even if the Hurricanes win straight-up, this one should be close throughout and the Avalanche should cover the puck line.

With an over/under line sitting at 6.5 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

Daily NHL Picks

The Colorado Avalanche are gearing up to host one of the NHL’s hottest teams, the Carolina Hurricanes, in what promises to be an exciting Saturday night matchup in Denver. While Colorado is seeking redemption after a recent shutout loss to Winnipeg, Carolina heads into the game with an eight-game winning streak—the best in the league—aiming to keep their momentum strong.

Hurricanes Riding High on Confidence and Consistency

The Hurricanes’ current streak is no fluke. Over their last eight games, they’ve averaged 4.75 goals per game and have scored four or more goals in seven consecutive matchups. With a well-rounded offense, Carolina has managed to avoid heavy reliance on a single superstar, which is critical for maintaining consistency throughout the season.

Forward Jordan Martinook, who scored the opening goal in Carolina’s recent 5-1 win over Pittsburgh, attributes much of the team’s success to rising confidence. “When you see the puck go in, it helps,” he said, emphasizing that the team is capitalizing on chances and playing with rhythm. This momentum is allowing Carolina to approach each game with growing assurance, making them one of the most dangerous teams in the NHL.

Scoring Depth Drives Carolina’s Success

Carolina’s scoring depth is evident, with multiple players contributing regularly. While Martin Necas is the only player in the NHL’s top 30 in points, his teammates are stepping up to ensure a balanced attack. Necas, with seven goals, is second on the team, while Jack Roslovic leads the pack with nine goals after netting two against Pittsburgh.

This balance reduces pressure on individual players, as the Hurricanes have proven they can win with contributions across all lines. Such versatility can make them more resilient over the course of the season, especially during intense matchups like the one awaiting them in Colorado.

Rock-Solid Goaltending Bolsters the Hurricanes

Behind Carolina’s offensive powerhouse is a strong defensive unit anchored by goaltenders Pyotr Kochetkov and Frederik Andersen. Combined, they hold a stellar 2.33 goals-against average, with Kochetkov posting a 7-1 record and an impressive 2.51 average after a recent 35-save performance against Pittsburgh. The reliable goaltending has given the Hurricanes an added layer of confidence, as the team knows they have a dependable last line of defense.

Kochetkov’s ability to come through in games where Carolina isn’t performing at its peak has proven invaluable. As Martinook put it after the Pittsburgh game, “He’s playing incredibly well, and nights like tonight, when we’re not all there, he’s doing his thing.” With two solid goaltenders in rotation, Carolina’s net remains a fortress, supporting their overall resilience.

Avalanche’s Challenges: Injuries and Inconsistencies

Colorado, on the other hand, is navigating a bumpy start to the season. After a 1-0 loss to Winnipeg—where Alexandar Georgiev made 27 saves—the Avalanche have highlighted their need for a boost in both offensive production and roster stability. Georgiev’s struggles early in the season saw him temporarily cede his role to Justus Annunen. However, his recent performance against Winnipeg suggests he may be reclaiming his spot, especially if he can maintain such quality outings.

But goaltending isn’t Colorado’s only concern. Injuries have hit their forward lines hard, with four key players sidelined. Artturi Lehkonen recently returned to the lineup, scoring in a win over Seattle, but captain Gabriel Landeskog’s long-awaited return remains uncertain. Landeskog has been out since the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals, facing multiple surgeries, including a cartilage transplant, which has delayed his recovery.

Landeskog’s Uncertain Timeline Adds to Avalanche’s Woes

The absence of Landeskog, a pivotal leader for the Avalanche, is particularly difficult. Head coach Jared Bednar shared that Landeskog has encountered setbacks in his recovery, which have made his timeline to return murky. “They just changed his course of attack a little bit because of the way he was feeling,” Bednar said. “But he’s been on the ice and off the ice; there’s no timeline.”

Without their captain, Colorado is left without one of its most seasoned players. His absence places added pressure on the remaining forwards and disrupts the team’s overall chemistry, making it more challenging for Colorado to stay competitive against teams as dynamic as the Hurricanes.

Key Storylines to Watch in the Avalanche-Hurricanes Matchup

1. Carolina’s Balanced Offense vs. Colorado’s Shorthanded Lineup
   The Hurricanes’ offense features depth and balance, while Colorado’s depleted forward lines will test their resilience against a high-scoring opponent.
2. Goaltending Battle
   Carolina’s Kochetkov and Andersen have been performing well, while Colorado’s Georgiev may be turning a corner. The goaltender that performs best may very well decide the game’s outcome.
3. Impact of Confidence and Momentum
   Carolina’s eight-game streak has energized their play. Colorado, coming off a tough loss, will need to generate their own momentum if they’re to stand a chance against such a well-tuned team.
4. Leadership Void for the Avalanche
   With Landeskog out indefinitely, Colorado must rely on new leaders to step up. How they respond to the pressure of facing the league’s hottest team could shape the direction of their season.

Conclusion: Hurricanes Primed to Extend Their Streak

Carolina is set to bring the heat, boasting confidence, offensive depth, and strong goaltending. For Colorado, the challenge will be to overcome injury-related obstacles and leverage home-ice advantage to end the Hurricanes’ run. If the Avalanche can hold their ground and rediscover their offensive touch, they may disrupt Carolina’s winning streak. Otherwise, the Hurricanes look poised to keep rolling.