Vegas Golden Knights vs Colorado Avalanche Picks and Prediction for Friday May 22 2026
Use Code PPWC
The Western Conference Final continues Friday night as the Vegas Golden Knights face the Colorado Avalanche in Game 2 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET with national television coverage on ESPN. Vegas enters the night holding a 1-0 series lead after taking the opening matchup on the road, while Colorado looks to respond on home ice and avoid falling into a deeper series deficit. The Avalanche are listed as -192 favorites on the moneyline, while the Golden Knights are +160 underdogs. The total for the matchup is set at 6.5 goals. Get into the full action with our free NHL picks.
Previous Game Recap
Vegas opened the Western Conference Final with a strong 4-2 victory over Colorado in Game 1 on May 20. The opening period remained scoreless before the Golden Knights broke through with two goals in the second period to take control. Colorado attempted to rally during the third period with two goals of its own, but Vegas answered with two additional scores to secure the road win. The Golden Knights finished the game with 27 shots on goal while Colorado generated 38 shots in an active offensive effort that could not fully break through late.
The Golden Knights received balanced offensive production throughout the lineup in the win. Pavel Dorofeyev scored once on three shots, while Nic Dowd and Brett Howden each added goals as well. Jack Eichel recorded an assist and remained heavily involved offensively with three shots and strong faceoff work. Tomas Hertl also contributed an assist while winning eight of ten faceoffs, and Mitch Marner added a helper in over 21 minutes of ice time. Defensively, Shea Theodore recorded five shots and seven blocked shots, while Carter Hart delivered an impressive performance in goal by stopping 36 of 38 shots for a .947 save percentage.
Colorado saw goals from Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin in the loss. Nathan MacKinnon added an assist while finishing with three shots and a strong faceoff percentage, and Ross Colton also contributed an assist during the third-period push. Nazem Kadri generated five shots on goal while Brock Nelson added four shots, but the Avalanche struggled to consistently finish despite heavy offensive pressure. Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves in net for Colorado and posted an .889 save percentage during the defeat.
Sign Up Get $30 Premium Picks Credit + Exclusive Offers
Subscribe Now
Golden Knights Carry Momentum Into Denver Again
Vegas enters Game 2 with a 39-26-17 overall record and a 19-14-8 mark on the road this season. The Golden Knights recently won over Colorado 4-2 in Game 1 after previously recently won over Anaheim by scores of 5-1, 3-2 in overtime, and 6-2 during the previous playoff round. Their only recent defeat came in a 4-3 loss against Anaheim on May 10. Vegas has now won four of its last five games heading into Friday night’s matchup.
The Golden Knights have averaged 3.22 goals per game this season while allowing 2.95 goals against per contest. Vegas has generated 29.0 shots per game and allowed only 24.4 shots against on average. Special teams have also played an important role throughout the season, with the Golden Knights recording 58 power-play goals while operating at 24.6 percent on the man advantage. Defensively, Vegas has posted an 81.4 percent penalty kill rate and has not allowed a shorthanded goal.
One major strength for Vegas has been the ability to capitalize offensively while limiting opponent opportunities. The Golden Knights are allowing fewer than 25 shots against per game and showed in Game 1 that they can remain efficient offensively even without overwhelming shot totals. Their power play production and defensive structure continue to provide balance entering another difficult road matchup.
Avalanche Searching for a Home Response
Colorado comes into Game 2 with a 55-16-11 overall record and a dominant 26-9-6 home record this season. The Avalanche recently lost to Vegas in Game 1 after previously recently won over Minnesota by scores of 4-3 in overtime and 5-2 twice during the earlier playoff round. Colorado also recently lost to Minnesota 5-1 on May 9 before bouncing back quickly in the following games. Despite the Game 1 setback, the Avalanche have still won three of their last five contests.
The Avalanche have been one of the league’s strongest offensive teams this season, averaging 3.63 goals per game while allowing only 2.40 goals against per contest. Colorado is averaging 33.7 shots per game, significantly higher than Vegas, while also maintaining an 84.6 percent penalty kill percentage. Nathan MacKinnon leads the team with 127 points, including 53 goals and 74 assists, while the offense overall has continued to generate consistent pressure throughout the postseason.
One important strength for Colorado remains the overall offensive pressure created through shot volume. The Avalanche produced 38 shots in Game 1 and continue to average well over 33 shots per game this season. However, converting those opportunities more consistently will be critical after managing only two goals despite extended offensive zone time during the series opener.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche Picks and Prediction
Side Pick
- Colorado Avalanche Moneyline
Colorado returns home for Game 2 after dropping the series opener, and the Avalanche still hold one of the strongest home records in hockey at 26-9-6. The Avalanche continue to generate heavy offensive pressure with 33.7 shots per game and averaged 3.63 goals per contest during the season. Vegas played well in Game 1, but Colorado’s ability to control possession and create scoring opportunities gives the Avalanche a strong chance to respond before the series shifts away from Denver.
Total Pick
- Over 6.5 Goals
Both teams have shown offensive capability throughout the postseason and regular season. Colorado averages 3.63 goals per game while Vegas averages 3.22 goals per contest, and the opening game of the series finished with six combined goals despite a scoreless first period. Colorado generated 38 shots in Game 1 while Vegas capitalized efficiently on its opportunities. With both offenses continuing to create pressure and multiple recent games for both teams producing strong scoring totals, the over remains appealing for Game 2.
Final Score Prediction: Colorado Avalanche 4 – Vegas Golden Knights 3
Never Tried Picks and Parlays? Now Is Your Chance
- Get your first daily picks package for ONLY $1 using coupon code BUCK
- If the pick loses, we credit your account with 3 Flex Picks
- If the pick wins, we still give you 1 Flex Pick on the house
- Win or lose, you walk away ahead. One dollar. No catch.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $200 in Bonuses Instantly!
