Coyotes vs Avalanche Game 1 Odds & Pick

• The Colorado Avalanche and Arizona Coyotes open their series Wednesday at 5:30 PM EST
• The Avalanche finished the regular season with 18 more points than the Coyotes
• Colorado should be considered big favorites in both game one and the series

The Arizona Coyotes surprised many in the hockey world-beating Nashville in four games to reach the Stanley Cup playoffs. Does the dream run end here for Arizona, now facing the daunting task of toppling the #2-seeded Colorado Avalanche in a best-of-seven?

Coyotes vs Avalanche Game 1 Odds

Odds taken August 10

For my money, the answer to the above question is a resounding yes. Colorado had 18 more points than Arizona in the regular season and should have their way in this series. The Coyotes vs Avalanche odds for Game 1 set Arizona as sizable underdogs, as they should.

Let’s look at three key players who could factor into an Avalanche win in, not only the series, but in Game 1 as well.

Nathan MacKinnon Best Player Remaining in Playoffs

Nathan MacKinnon is one of the best players in the world. Lucky for him, none of the other players in the conversation with him are still alive in these playoffs. MacKinnon tallied 35 goals, 58 assists and 93 points in only 69 games this season. He also found the score sheet in all three round-robin games for good measure. He is absolutely a difference-maker and will be a handful for the Coyotes all series.

Nathan MacKinnon (@Mackinnon9) calms the chaos to get the @Avalanche on the board. #StanleyCup Round Robin

🇺🇸: https://t.co/U5BnrqK8OT @NHLonNBCSports
🇨🇦: https://t.co/eVCyWTbCNm @Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/Bg9BQKLjSO

— NHL (@NHL) August 8, 2020

MacKinnon was the star of one of the best offenses in the league. The series stats will show you, Colorado scored 3.37 goals per game which ranked fourth in the entire NHL. Look for him to cause all sorts of problems for Arizona in this series, starting in the opener.

Taylor Hall In Unfamiliar Territory

Taylor Hall is a fine hockey player, nobody will deny that point. Can he help you win games when it counts? I’m not sure, what I do know is there is no evidence that he can. The first overall pick in 2010 has qualified for the playoffs for the second time and owns exactly zero series wins in his career. The regular season stats are fine, but I don’t know why anyone would trust a Hall-led team to win without seeing it happen first.

#HowlYeah pic.twitter.com/RfORms2ssF

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) August 7, 2020

Speaking of the stats, they aren’t as impressive as one might think. You saw the gaudy numbers from MacKinnon earlier and Hall simply can’t equal that production. This season he finished with 52 points and a -14 mark splitting his time between the Coyotes and New Jersey Devils. If I’m betting on someone to get things done when it counts, unfortunately, I have to fade Hall at this time.

Cale Makar Continues Impressive Rookie Year

Cale Makar is nominated for and will likely win the Calder Trophy as the Rookie of the Year. He notched 50 points in 57 games while finishing +12 in his freshman campaign. He was a pillar on defense for a team that allowed only 2.71 goals per game which ranked sixth in the league. Despite being only 21 years old he is definitively the best defenseman on either team in the series and will more certainly make his mark.

Haven't had your daily serving of veggies today? 🥬

Cale Makar's got you covered with this incredible one-timer 🤩@Avalanche | #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/lh1LwjjavK

— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) August 5, 2020

Trust in Makar and MacKinnon to lead the Avalanche to victory. If you’re as confident as I am consider taking them on the puck line to win the opener.

Pick: Colorado Avalanche Puck Line -1.5 (+150)