Written by Graeme on Wednesday, May 20th, 2026
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Tonight we will see the beginning of the Western Conference finals, as the Avs host the Vegas Golden Knights.
Then tomorrow it’s the start of the Eastern Conference finals, as the well-rested Hurricanes take on the complete OPPOSITE of well rested, in the Game 7 specialists, the Montreal Canadiens.
Let’s look at this Avs vs Knights series.
Avs have home ice to start.
Avs vs Knights Series Betting Tips:
Scott: They are leading the playoffs in GPG so scoring isn’t an issue for them. The swept the Kings in the 1st round and the Wild in 5 games in the 2nd.
MacKinnon, Necas and Landeskog lead the way offensively for them but they have plenty of depth to go along with them. Kadri, Lehkonen, Roy and Drury have all pitched in and they are still waiting on Nichushkin to get going. On defense it’s also a deep crew with Makar, Toews, Kulak and Burns. If they have one issue it’s in goal. Wedgewood has started a majority of their games but has had Blackwood come in to play when he has had a bad game.
The Knights beat the Mammoth in round 1 in 6 games and the Ducks in the 2nd round also in 6 games. This is their 5th trip to the Conference Finals in 9 years. That’s insane!
Marner has been great so far in these playoffs leading the team, and league, in points. Eichel, Dorofeyev and Howden are also score at or around a point per game. Barbashev, Stone and Hertl are chipping in too. Theodore, Hanifin, Andersson and McNabb are playing well defensively. Hart has played all of their games in goal and has a 2.37 GAA and a .917 save percentage.
The Knights needed 6 games to get past 2 young and inexperienced teams to get here. The Avalanche swept the Kings and then needed 5 games to get by the Wild who, in my opinion, were one of the best teams in the West. I just don’t see the Knights beating the Avalanche here.
Avalanche -1.5
For best odds, check:
Ontario: Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv, Sports Interaction and TonyBet
Canada: Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv, Sports Interaction and TonyBet
USA: BetOnline.
Everyone Else: Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Graeme: I’m in a bit of a rush here as I’m off to Montreal for the F1 this weekend. Pretty pumped to be at the bars on Thursday and Saturday as well that is for sure!
Based on the playoff metrics – I mean it’s not a walk but the Avs do look better. Better CF & FF. They’ve had toughg ames too. Slightly better GF% and xGF%.
And really of the two – they just look the better side for the most part don’t they? Knights just haven’t impressed me much and I had high hopes for them as well.
I agree with Scott – Avs -1.5
For best odds, check:
Ontario: Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv, Sports Interaction and TonyBet
Canada: Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv, Sports Interaction and TonyBet
USA: BetOnline.
Everyone Else: Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
I already bet that Colorado takes the series, and still think so, but in how many games, I won’t bet. I think Vegas has it in them to score goals and take at least one game, maybe two, but once Colorado adjusts to Vegas to play each game with strategy, Vegas loses the series overall. I’m waiting to see if the scoring gravitates to something consistent, and if any props look promising. No bets on Game 1 though. Best of luck, everyone!