Vegas Golden Knights vs Colorado Avalanche Prediction, 5/22/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Vegas Golden Knights vs Colorado Avalanche

Date: Friday, May 22, 2026

Location: Ball Arena in Denver, CO

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Golden Knights (+160) Avalanche (-192)

The Colorado Avalanche (55-16-11) are hosting the Vegas Golden Knights (39-26-17) at Ball Arena on Friday in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. Vegas leads 1-0. The moneyline on this contest has the Golden Knights at +160 while the Avalanche are priced at -192. The over/under has been set at 6.5.

The Vegas Golden Knights were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 4-2 victory over the Avalanche in Game 1. Vegas scored 2 each in the 2nd and 3rd periods to steal home ice advantage. Carter Hart had 36 saves to secure the win. Vegas accrued 6 penalty minutes in this matchup. The Golden Knights had a impressive offensive performance in this victory. They also had 2 power play opportunities and scored 1 goal. For the outing, they tallied a score on 4 out of the 28 shots they attempted.

Get all of our Free NHL Picks

With regard to their scoring, the Vegas Golden Knights have racked up 264 goals (14th in pro hockey) on the year and have given up 242. For the current campaign, they sit with 95 points and their points percentage sits at .579. Vegas has compiled 237 power play chances and they have notched 58 goals during those advantages, giving them a rate of 24.47%. When at even strength, the Golden Knights have allowed the opponent to score 204 goals while getting 206 on the offensive side of the ice. Vegas has attempted 2,377 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.1%. The Golden Knights so far have had 1,999 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .879. Vegas Golden Knights opponents have earned 204 power play opportunities (32nd in professional hockey) and have scored 38 goals in those chances.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Carter Hart. Hart has taken the ice for 245 games over the course of his professional hockey career. He has accumulated a record of 107-96-32 and he has started in 236 games. Opponents have tallied 671 goals versus Hart in his career and his goals against average per contest is 2.84. Hart has had 7,052 shots taken against him and has garnered 6,381 total saves. His save percentage is .905 for his 12,073 mins in the crease. During his career on the ice, Hart has accrued 117 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .496.

Colorado emptied the net at the end and gave up a goal to make the margin seem higher, but Scott Wedgewood finished with 24 saves on 27 shots to keep them in the game. They had 3 opportunities on the power play in this outing and earned 1 out of those tries. The Avalanche netted 2 goals out of the 38 shots on goal they were seeking.

Colorado has attempted 2,766 shots (1st in hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 10.77%, while allowing their opponents 2,144 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 84.62% on their opponents 234 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage is 90.8%. They have a total of 263 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play rate of 17.11%. The Avalanche have earned 253 goals at even strength and 45 goals (20th in professional hockey) while having more men on the ice. They have allowed 197 goals to be scored by way of 161 goals at even strength and 36 goals while they were shorthanded. So far this season, the Colorado Avalanche have notched a total of 298 goals, 121 points, in addition to a points percentage of .738.

For the opposition you are likely to see Scott Wedgewood between the pipes. He is sitting with 4,999 stops out of 5,498 shots tried, which gives him a save % of .909. Wedgewood is the owner of a career mark of 93-60-30 and has participated in 199 games. He has made the start in 179 games and has played 8,268 minutes. Wedgewood's quality start percentage sits at 55.3% and he has accumulated 99 quality starts in his career. The opposition is averaging 2.79 goals/game and he has relinquished 499 goals in total.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Vegas (+160)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Get NHL picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bets by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.