🏒 Wild vs. Avalanche Prediction & Odds: NHL Picks Today (March 8)
The best and fifth-best teams square off today when the Colorado Avalanche welcome the Minnesota Wild to Ball Arena in Denver (2 p.m. ET, TNT).
Colorado, the -164 moneyline betting favorite, will feature returnee Nazem Kadri, and I'm backing Jared Bednar's team to win a low-scoring contest in my Wild vs. Avalanche prediction. Kadri will be reunited with the team after playing in Calgary for the last 3.5 seasons. He said returning to the Mile High City is a dream come true, and I expect him to make an impactful splash in his first game back.
๐ Wild vs. Avalanche picks & odds today: March 8
See all of our experts' NHL picks based on the latest NHL odds; picks rated on a 1-to-5 star confidence scale based on betting value.
| Bet type | Prediction | Units | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game prediction | Avalanche ML (-164 via FanDuel) | 1u -> 0.61u | โญโญโญโญ |
| Over/Under total | Under 6.5 (-122 via FanDuel) | 1u -> 0.82u | โญโญโญโญ |
| Nazem Kadri player prop bet | Over 0.5 points (+100 via BetMGM) | 1u -> 1u | โญโญโญโญโญ |
Total wagered: 3 units | Max profit: 2.43 units
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๐ฐ Wild vs. Avalanche prediction & best bet
Under 6.5 (-122)
Both teams are playing well defensively, and I expect a playoff-like battle at Ball Arena. Seven of Colorado's previous nine games had six goals or fewer, and the Under cashed in the last three Wild games.
The Under also hit in four of the previous six head-to-heads. The Avalanche allowed more than two goals twice in the last nine games, both of which were against Central Division opponents, including five versus Minnesota on Thursday, Feb. 26.
Bednar's team will be much better defensively this time around.
Score prediction: Avalanche 4, Wild 2
โAre the Foligno brothers playing for the Wild on Sunday?
The Folignos will have to wait a little while longer before they make they play their first professional game as teammates. After being traded by the Chicago Blackhawks, Nick won't make his Wild debut.
Marcus, meanwhile, will not feature because of a lower-body injury. Marcus is a big loss for the Wild. Despite his lack of scoring production, he is an excellent shutdown left-winger, which always comes in handy against the NHL's best offensive team.
๐ฅ Best Wild vs. Avalanche player prop bet
Nazem Kadri Over 0.5 points (+100)
Reunited with the Stanley Cup odds favorites and the team he helped win it all, Kadri will be in a buoyant mood. That should translate to at least one point in his opening game with the Colorado Avalanche after being traded by the Calgary Flames.
Kadri didn't have a point in his previous four games with Calgary, but had six in the previous three. For this particular situational pick, I don't think current form has much bearing. Nothing will suppress Kadri's appetite in one of the most exciting moments of his career.
Even if he centers the third line, a distinct possibility, I believe he'll notch one point.
๐ค How did Nazem Kadri perform in his first stint with the Avalanche?
Kadri was an influential member of the Cup-winning Avalanche before he departed for Calgary. He scored the overtime winner in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning, crucially putting the Avs up 3-1 in the series.
Colorado wrapped it up in Game 5 at home. Kadri was excellent in the 2021-22 regular season, too, scoring 87 points in 71 games.
It was his best regular season as a pro, and I have no doubt he'll be at his best for the remainder of the regular season and throughout the playoffs.
๐ Live Wild vs. Avalanche odds
The Avalanche opened as the -170 moneyline betting favorite. Their odds range from -164 to -80, so there hasn't bee much change. The Avalanche beat Dallas on Friday, ending the Stars' 10-game win streak.
That victory slightly shortened the Avalanche's odds. However, the Wild enjoyed an impressive victory over the Golden Knights in Vegas, offsetting those gains from the Avs.
๐ก How I'm betting Wild vs. Avalanche
Follow all of our NHL analysis and expert predictions this season.
There isn't much value in backing the Avalanche on the moneyline, but it's a better potential return than choosing the Wild +1.5 (-178) on the puck line. As it should be a tight game, the Avs -1.5 isn't a feasible option.
That's why the total is the best pick.
Both teams have been trending toward lower-scoring games. In addition, Colorado will concentrate on playing much better defensively than the last time they met, when it conceded five.
Kadri will be a man on a mission in his first game back, which is bad news for Minnesota.
๐ Wild vs. Avalanche same-game parlay
💵 Wild vs. Avalanche SGP picks
- Avalanche ML (-164)
- Under 6.5 (-122)
- Nazem Kadri Over 0.5 points (+100)
Best odds: +486 via FanDuel (0.5u -> 2.43u)
๐ Wild vs. Avalanche betting trends
| Wild | Statistic | Avalanche |
|---|---|---|
| 37-16-10 | W-L record | 42-10-9 |
| 34-29-0 | ATS record | 33-27-0 |
| 6-2-2 | O/U record last 10 | 4-5-1 |
| 3-2-0 | Last 5 games | 4-1-0 |
๐ Wild vs. Avalanche injuries
๐ฎ Expert NHL predictions today
- Wild vs. Avalanche prediction
- Oilers vs. Golden Knights
- Bruins vs. Penguins prediction
- Red Wings vs. Devils prediction
๐บ How to watch Wild vs. Avalanche
- Date: Sunday, March 8
- Puck drop: 2 p.m. ET
- Location: Ball Arena (Denver)
- TV: TNT
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