Avalanche Roll Into Jersey With Goaltending Edge Despite B2B Grind

The Avalanche limp into Newark on the second night of a back-to-back, which normally screams trap game—except the Devils are handing them a golden opportunity between the pipes. Jake Allen has been a sieve through five starts, posting an .876 save percentage and a bloated 3.18 GAA that would make beer league goalies blush. Meanwhile, Colorado counters with Scott Wedgewood, who's been quietly solid at .902 with a 2.40 GAA in limited action. That's not just an edge—it's a chasm.

The Avs are also clicking offensively, pumping in 4.5 goals per game compared to New Jersey's 3.125, while allowing nearly half a goal less per night on the defensive end. Yes, tired legs are a legitimate concern on consecutive nights, but when you're getting pick-em odds against a team that can't stop pucks, you take it. The Devils' home ice means nothing if Allen keeps gifting chances like he's running a charity.

DarkHorse likes Avalanche ML at moderate confidence (3/5)—the goaltending mismatch and Colorado's superior two-way play outweigh the schedule spot. New Jersey needs Allen to stand on his head. Good luck with that.