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Avalanche vs. Canucks: NHL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions (Friday)

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We have a small two-game slate of hockey on Friday with a couple of good matchups. Here are my two best bets for Friday’s NHL slate. And below we dive into Avalanche vs. Canucks.

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Check out our other top picks for Friday:

Today’s Best NHL Bets: Avalanche vs. Canucks

Here are my favorite bets for Friday’s small slate.

Colorado Avalanche (-155) @ Vancouver Canucks (+125) | O/U 6.5 (-130/+110)

In Friday’s nightcap, there is a Western Conference tilt with the Pacific Division’s Vancouver Canucks hosting the Central Division’s Colorado Avalanche. The embarrassing 3-2 loss to the tanking Chicago Blackhawks seemed to kick things back into gear for the Avs as they have rattled off three straight victories with a +13 goal differential.

This win streak will likely continue in Vancouver as goaltender Alexandar Georgiev is slated to start between the pipes for Colorado. Through 31 appearances in the crease this season, Georgiev is 17-11-3 with a .916 SV% and 2.69 GAA.

Based on his metrics, regression is unlikely for the Avs’ netminder as he ranks 11th among starting goaltenders in GSAx/60 at 5-on-5. In front of Georgiev is one of the better blue lines in hockey, as Colorado ranks sixth in xGA/60 at 5-on-5.

Part of the reason the line is so low for the Avs is that superstar defenseman Cale Makar could potentially miss another game with an undisclosed injury. However, they still beat the Calgary Flames 4-1 without him on Wednesday. Either way, this defense should be fine even if Makar misses the game, as the Canucks’ offense is primed for regression.

At 5-on-5, Vancouver ranks eighth in the league in GF/60 but just 25th in xGF/60. The Canucks will need as much goal support as possible since goaltender Spencer Martin is slated to get the start between the pipes.

Through 25 appearances in the crease this season, he possesses a troubling .877 SV% and 3.89 GAA. Back the road team that boasts the better offense, defense, and goaltender.

Best Bet: Avalanche ML (-155 at BetMGM)

Best of luck!

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Tony Sartori is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Tony, check out his archive and follow him @tony_sartori.