Colorado Avalanche vs Florida Panthers Prediction, 1/4/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Colorado Avalanche vs Florida Panthers

Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026

Location: Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL

TV: Scripps Sports Local

Odds/Point Spread: Avalanche (-196) Panthers (+162)

Amerant Bank Arena is the location where the Florida Panthers (21-15-3) will try to beat the Colorado Avalanche (30-2-7) on Sunday. The line on this contest has the Avalanche at -196 while the Panthers open at +162. The total is set at 6.

The Colorado Avalanche will head into their next game feeling good after earning a 6-1 victory against the Blues their last time out. Colorado compiled 6 mins in the box in this contest. The Avalanche had a impressive offensive outing in the win. They also had 3 power play chances and were able to notch 1 goal. In the game, they tallied a score on 6 of the 43 shots they tried.

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Colorado Avalanche opponents have tallied 112 power play tries (19th in pro hockey) and have scored 16 goals in those chances. The Avalanche have had 1,043 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .919. Colorado has taken 1,352 shots and has a shooting percentage of 11.7%. At even strength, the Avalanche let the opposition score 68 goals while earning 137 on offense. Colorado has accumulated 132 power play chances and they have added 21 goals out of those tries, giving them a rate of 15.91%. For the year, they have scored 67 points and their points percentage is .859. With regard to their scoring capabilities, the Colorado Avalanche have earned 158 goals (1st in pro hockey) over the course of the season and have allowed 84.

The man in goal for this game is Scott Wedgewood. Throughout his time in hockey, Wedgewood has 84 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .525. His save percentage is at .908 in his 8,219 minutes played. Wedgewood has seen 5,008 shot attempts against him and has recorded 4,546 saves. Opponents have tallied 462 goals versus Wedgewood in his pro hockey career and his goals against rate is 2.89. He has compiled a mark of 79-55-28 and he started in 160 games. Wedgewood has participated in 178 games over the course of his hockey career.

In their last game, Florida went up against the Canadiens in a matchup where the Panthers ended up losing by a mark of 3-2. They had 4 attempts on the power play in this contest and converted 1 out of those opportunities. The Panthers netted 2 goals out of the 30 shots on goal they attempted.

The Panthers are sitting with 97 goals at even strength and 27 goals (10th in pro hockey) while on the power play. Florida has put up 1,139 shots (12th in professional hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 10.89%, while allowing their opponents 1,041 shots. So far this year, the Florida Panthers have earned 124 goals, 45 points, as well as a points percentage of .577. They have permitted 123 goals to be scored by of a combination of 100 goals at even strength and 23 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have earned 146 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 18.49%. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 82.84% on the other teams 134 tries on the power play, and their save percentage is 88.2%.

Across the ice you are likely to see Sergei Bobrovsky in net. Bobrovsky has earned a lifetime record of 446-252-58 and has played in 781 games. Bobrovsky's quality start rate is 58.0% and he has qualified for 445 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He is sitting with 20,513 saves out of 22,455 shots attempted against him, giving him a rate of .914. His opponents are averaging 2.53 goals per game and he has conceded 1,942 goals altogether. He has started in 767 contests and has racked up 40,028 minutes.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Colorado (-196)

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