Colorado Avalanche vs Vegas Golden Knights Picks and Predictions April 8th 2025

Vegas Golden Knights Eye Third Straight Win in Playoff Push

The Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights are riding high as they head into Tuesday night’s clash with the Colorado Avalanche, aiming to extend their win streak to three games. At 47-22-8 (102 points), Vegas is building strong postseason momentum, holding a five-point lead over the Los Angeles Kings.

Their latest victory, a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks, highlighted their ability to close tight games. Victor Olofsson scored the game-winner late in the third period, lifting the team to 8-2-0 over their last 10 games.

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Coach Cassidy Focused on Process Over Standings

Head coach Bruce Cassidy acknowledged the importance of standings but emphasized gameplay quality:

“It’s more about us getting our game in order and playing the right way,” Cassidy said. “I thought we did a real good job controlling the rush game.”

Key Players Driving Vegas’ Success

• Jack Eichel is the offensive catalyst with 93 points (66 assists) in 76 games.
• Pavel Dorofeyev leads in goals with 33 in 77 games.
• Goaltender Adin Hill has been steady in net, boasting a 30-13-5 record, .906 save percentage, and 2.49 goals-against average (GAA).

The Golden Knights are also just six points behind the Winnipeg Jets in the President’s Trophy race, keeping their hopes alive for the league’s best record.

Colorado Avalanche Seek Bounce-Back Performance at Home

The Colorado Avalanche (47-27-4, 98 points) return home for a short two-game stint, looking to rebound after a 5-4 loss to the red-hot St. Louis Blues. Despite the setback, Colorado remains in a strong position, third in the Central Division and five points ahead of St. Louis with a game in hand.

Saturday’s game saw the Avalanche nearly complete a remarkable comeback from a 4-0 deficit, thanks to goals from Ross Colton, Miles Wood, Nathan MacKinnon, and Sam Malinski.

Coach Bednar Cites Depth as a Silver Lining

Head coach Jared Bednar expressed concern over the team’s slow start but praised the bottom-six forwards:

“We had a tough time getting going… but the bottom six forwards did a nice job, stuck with their identity and work ethic, scored a couple big goals for us.”

MacKinnon’s MVP Campaign in Full Swing

• Nathan MacKinnon is in a tight scoring race with Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov, leading the NHL with 115 points (32 goals, 83 assists) in 78 games.
• Goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood has also been reliable, posting a 22-10-3 record, .916 save percentage, and 2.23 GAA.

The Avalanche are currently seven points behind the Dallas Stars but remain a potent playoff contender with elite talent and deep scoring potential.

Head-to-Head: Decisive Final Meeting of the Season

This will be the third and final regular-season meeting between the two playoff-bound teams:

• Oct. 9: Vegas won 8-4
• Nov. 27: Colorado edged Vegas 2-1

With the series tied 1-1, Tuesday’s game in Colorado could provide a psychological edge heading into the postseason.

Playoff Implications and Momentum Building

• Vegas: Looking to lock down the Pacific Division and maintain top form.
• Colorado: Aiming to regain consistency and potentially challenge for second in the Central.

Both teams have the talent, depth, and goaltending to make deep playoff runs. Their clash promises high-intensity action, playoff-caliber pace, and star power on full display.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is leading the Golden Knights in points this season?

Jack Eichel leads with 93 points, including 66 assists in 76 games.

2. How have the Avalanche been performing lately?

They’ve gone 6-2-1 in their last nine games but are coming off a 5-4 loss to St. Louis.

3. What’s at stake in the Golden Knights vs Avalanche matchup?

Playoff momentum, potential psychological advantage, and valuable points in the standings.

4. Who’s the top scorer in the NHL right now?

As of Monday, Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL with 115 points, three ahead of Nikita Kucherov.

5. How have the previous meetings between Vegas and Colorado gone?

Vegas won the first game 8-4; Colorado took the second 2-1.

6. Which goaltender has better stats this season?

Colorado’s MacKenzie Blackwood has a higher save percentage (.916) and lower GAA (2.23) than Vegas’ Adin Hill (.906, 2.49 GAA).

Conclusion: A Playoff Preview Worth Watching

The matchup between the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche is more than just a regular-season game — it’s a potential playoff preview. With both teams surging and superstars like MacKinnon and Eichel leading the charge, expect a fast-paced, high-stakes battle that could foreshadow a future postseason showdown.