The Toronto Maple Leafs (2-2-1) and the Colorado Avalanche (3-1-0) meet Saturday in Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Let's analyze NHL odds around the Maple Leafs vs. Avalanche odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
2025-26 season series: Tied 1-1; Maple Leafs won 4-3 in OT as a moderate underdog (+188) in last season's meet in Denver Jan. 12. The road team has won 6 of the past 8 in the series, and the Over is 4-0-1 in the past 5 meetings in Denver since Jan. 8, 2022.
The Maple Leafs (+142) suffered a 4-3 loss in a shootout at Vegas Thursday as the Over (6.5) cashed. All 5 games for Toronto have been decided by a single goal.
The Avalanche (-238) crushed the Flames 7-3 in Calgary as the Over
(6.5) cashed. Colorado has scored 6+ goals in 3 of the 4 games, and, no surprise, the Over is 3-1 in the 4 games so far this season due to that huge offense.
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Maple Leafs at Avalanche odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:13 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Maple Leafs +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Avalanche -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Maple Leafs +1.5 (-144) | Avalanche -1.5 (+112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -118 | U: -104)
Maple Leafs at Avalanche projected goalies
Anthony Stolarz (2-0-0, 2.42 GAA, .904 SV%) vs. Mackenzie Blackwood (2-1-0, 2.67 GAA, .895 SV%)
Stolarz is likely to get the starting nod Saturday, as Sergei Bobrovsky started (and lost) in a shootout in Vegas last time out. He allowed 4 goals on 25 shots in a 5-4 OTW win over the Nashville Predators. He has yet to start a game on the road in the new season.
Blackwood allowed 3 goals on 19 shots in a 3-2 road loss in Winnipeg last time out. He has coughed up 8 goals on 76 shots in his 3 starts, yet to settle into any kind of a groove just yet.
Maple Leafs at Avalanche picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 4, Maple Leafs 3
Moneyline
The Avalanche (-220) will set you back more than 2 times your potential return, and that's way too much risk for not nearly enough return.
AVOID, and look to the puck line instead.
Puck line/Against the spread
The MAPLE LEAFS +1.5 (-144) aren't priced out of line if you'd like a little bit of insurance. Toronto has played 4 games, and each of those outings have been 1-goal games. So, win or lose, backing the Leafs on the puck line is a recommended play.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (-118) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.
The Over is 4-0-1 in the past 5 meetings between these teams in Denver. Colorado has scored 6 or more goals in 3 of 4 games, including 8 goals in the opener at home against Los Angeles Sept. 30, and 6 goals in a win over St. Louis Oct. 3.
Best prop bet
Maple Leafs RW WILLIAM NYLANDER 3+ SHOTS ON GOAL (+106).
Nylander is either completely locked in, firing off frequent shots, or not very engaged, and struggling to get anything going at the offensive end. Let's hope it's not the latter. He has 5 SOG in 2 of his 5 games this season, but he has also just 1 SOG in 2 other games. We'll know early on if Nylander is locked in, but with Colorado allowing 26.2 shots per game, the potential is there for a big showing.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Follow Daniel Dobish on X at @danieledobish. Follow SportsbookWire on X at SportsBookWire and on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Toronto Maple Leafs at Colorado Avalanche odds, picks and predictions
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