Colorado Avalanche vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, 1/3/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Colorado Avalanche vs Carolina Hurricanes

Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026

Location: PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC

TV: Fanduel Sports Network

Odds/Point Spread: Avalanche (-128) Hurricanes (+106)

The Colorado Avalanche (30-2-7) are on their way to PNC Arena on Saturday where they will go up against the Carolina Hurricanes (24-12-3). The odds on this game have the Avalanche at -128 while the Hurricanes are at +106. The betting total comes in at 6.5.

The Colorado Avalanche were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 6-1 victory against the Blues their last time out. Colorado tallied 6 penalty minutes for this matchup. Additionally, they had 3 power play tries and scored 1 goal. The Avalanche had a impressive offensive output in the victory. For the game, they scored on 6 out of the 43 shots they put on net.

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When discussing scoring goals, the Colorado Avalanche have tallied 158 goals (1st in the league) on the campaign and have surrendered 84. For the current season, they have tallied 67 points and their points % is .859. Colorado skates onto the rink with 132 power play chances and they have notched 21 goals during those advantages, earning them a rate of 15.91%. While playing at even strength, the Avalanche let the opposition score 68 goals while earning 137 on offense. Colorado has taken 1,352 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.7%. The Avalanche have seen 1,043 shots taken against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .919. Colorado Avalanche opponents have recorded 112 power play tries (19th in professional hockey) and have racked up 16 goals in those chances.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Mackenzie Blackwood. Blackwood has participated in 268 contests during his hockey career. He has compiled an overall record of 116-104-29 and he started in 251 games. Opponents have scored 731 goals against Blackwood in his pro hockey career and his average for goals against per game is 2.91. Blackwood has had 7,822 shots against him and has recorded 7,091 saves. His save percentage is .907 for his 13,392 minutes guarding the cage. Over the course of his time in hockey, Blackwood is sitting with 142 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .566.

Their last time out, Carolina squared up with the Penguins in a matchup where the Hurricanes were on the wrong end of the score by a final score of 5-1. They had 1 opportunity on the power play in this game but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Hurricanes recorded 1 goal out of the 28 shots on goal they tried.

The Hurricanes are sitting with 105 goals at even strength and 21 goals (20th in pro hockey) while on the power play. Carolina has tried 1,265 shots (2nd in pro hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 9.96%, while allowing their opponents 960 shots. For the season, the Carolina Hurricanes have notched a total of 126 goals, 51 points, in addition to a points percentage of .654. They have allowed 113 goals to be scored by way of 91 goals at even strength and 22 goals while they were shorthanded. They have earned 118 chances on the power play and they have a power play percentage of 17.80%. They have accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 79.63% on the other teams 108 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently comes in at 88.2%.

On the other side of the ice you will find Brandon Bussi in the crease. Opponents are averaging 2.13 goals per contest and he has conceded 32 goals in total. Bussi's quality start percentage comes out to 73.3% and he has accumulated 11 quality starts in his pro career. He got the starting nod in 15 contests and has played 38 mins. Bussi is the owner of a lifetime mark of 13-1-1 and has been in goal for 15 games. He has a tally of 330 saves out of the 362 shots tried, giving him a save % of .912.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Carolina (+106)

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