Avalanche vs Hurricanes Prediction, Odds & Best Bets | NHL Bets (2/8): Can Carolina Extend Colorado’s Skid?

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The National Hockey League has seven matchups scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 8 — including a massive inter-conference tilt between the Colorado Avalanche (32-15-4) and Carolina Hurricanes (28-16-5) at 7 p.m. ET.

GAMEDAY!

? @PNCArena
? 7:00 p.m.
? @CanesOnBally
? @999TheFan
?️ https://t.co/JrCadkFqiJ

Preview » https://t.co/NNEj1FJ1wa pic.twitter.com/PFLdMyrH66

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) February 8, 2024

The Avalanche’s road trip has not gone as planned, opening it with back-to-back losses to the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes’ three-game winning streak came to an end with a 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday.

BetOnline’s futures markets paint both clubs as championship threats this season. Colorado enters tonight’s contest with the second-best 2023-24 Stanley Cup odds (+800) while Carolina isn’t much further behind in fourth (+1000).

Before these teams potentially collide at the Stanley Cup Final, they must first go head-to-head tonight. Keep scrolling for my Avalanche vs. Hurricanes predictions and best bets.

Avalanche vs Hurricanes NHL Betting Tonight (2/8)

Avalanche vs Hurricanes Matchup Information

• Matchup: Colorado Avalanche (32-15-4, 12-10-4 Away) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (28-16-5, 15-6-4 Home)
• Venue & Location: PNC Arena (Raleigh, NC)
• Date: Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024
• Game Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Avalanche vs. Hurricanes: ESPN+

Hurricanes vs Avalanche NHL Betting Odds

Hurricanes vs. Avalanche odds are courtesy of Bovada as of Thursday, Feb. 8 at 12 p.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Avalanche vs Hurricanes Puck Line

• Colorado Avalanche +1.5 (-210)
• Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 (+180)

Hurricanes vs Avalanche Over/Under

• Over 6.5 Goals (+104)
• Under 6.5 Goals (-120)

Avalanche vs Hurricanes Moneyline

• Colorado Avalanche (+120)
• Carolina Hurricanes (-135)

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• Colorado is 5-1 straight up in its last six games vs. Carolina.
• Carolina is 11-4 straight up in its last 15 games.
• The total hit the Over in seven of Colorado’s last eight road games.
• The total hit the Under in four of Carolina’s last five home games.
• The total hit the Under in eight of the last 10 Colorado-Carolina matchups.

Avalanche vs Hurricanes Prediction & Pick (2/8): Don’t Expect Many Goals Tonight

It’s safe to say that the Avalanche’s road trip hasn’t started as planned. Despite scoring first in back-to-back contests, the Avs wound up taking the loss in both games. Needless to say, a more complete effort is needed tonight.

Having said that, it’ll be an uphill battle for Colorado tonight. The Hurricanes have been lights out lately, winning 11 of their last 15 games as they sit second in the Metropolitan Division with 61 points. The Avalanche are still the Central Division leaders, however, they might not be playing with much confidence after suffering back-to-back losses for the first time since December.

The Hurricanes rank 10th in goals for per game and 12th in goals against per game, whereas the Avalanche rank second and 18th, respectively. There’s no denying that Carolina has the special teams advantages here, coming in at second on the power play and fifth on the penalty kill.

Colorado has also been solid on special teams, however, it isn’t nearly as successful as the opposition, coming in at ninth on the PP and eighth on the PK.

It’s clear that the Hurricanes boast the superior special teams units in tonight’s matchup.

The Hurricanes will also be motivated tonight to avenge October’s 6-4 loss to the Avalanche at Ball Arena. Carolina led 3-2 at one point but four consecutive second-period goals from Colorado proved to be too much to handle.

With the win, the Avalanche improved to 5-1 SU in their last six encounters with the Hurricanes. In fact, the Avs have won each of the last four meetings between these clubs, outscoring the Canes 20-11 on aggregate while earning three of those victories by multi-goal margins.

Additionally, Carolina has dropped four of its last six home games against Colorado, beating the latter just once at PNC Arena since October 2018.

It’s also worth noting that the Avalanche have found success against Eastern teams this season, going 12-7-1 SU against the conference. On the flip side, the Hurricanes are only 9-10-2 SU against the West.

The Avalanche have played well against the Eastern Conference throughout the 2023-24 NHL season.

In a matchup that I could see going either way, I’m taking the Avalanche to pull off the upset. Colorado is due for a win and has only lost three consecutive games once this season. The Hurricanes won’t go down without a fight, but recent history makes it clear that the Avs have their number. Expect Colorado to keep its success going against the East.

Taking these clubs to finish with fewer than 6.5 goals is the best bet, though. Yes, they combined for 10 earlier this season, but that was an anomaly. The Under is 8-2 in the last 10 Avalanche-Hurricanes matchups, averaging 5.3 goals and finishing with six or fewer all but twice.

If that isn’t convincing enough, Colorado and Carolina have finished with five or fewer goals in each of their last six encounters at PNC Arena.

Avalanche vs Hurricanes Prediction: COL wins

Best Avalanche vs Hurricanes NHL Bet: u6.5 Total Goals (-120)

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Best Avalanche vs Hurricanes NHL Player Prop (2/8)

There are a few Avalanche vs. Hurricanes player props that I like, however, I think Martin Necas to record 4+ shots on goal is the best of the bunch.

The Czech forward has done well at generating offense since returning from injury last month. He’s amassed 30 shots on goal over his last six games, finishing five of those contests with at least four SOG — including each of the last two. He also tallied six SOG when the Avalanche last visited PNC Arena on Nov. 17, 2022.

After the Avalanche allowed Devils forwards Erik Haula and Jesper Bratt to finish with four SOG on Tuesday, Necas shouldn’t struggle to hit the mark.

Best Avalanche vs Hurricanes Prop Bet: Martin Necas 4+ Shots on Goal (+150)

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