Devils vs. Avalanche Prediction, NHL Odds & Best Bets (10/28)

Fact checked at 9:01 AM ET, Oct 28, 2026

Odds as of 8:29 AM ET, Oct 28, 2026

The New Jersey Devils (8-4-0) bring a four-game winning streak into Ball Arena, with the puck dropping at 9:00 PM ET, but they bring it on the second night of a back-to-back. Connor Hellebuyck made 17 saves in a 5-1 win in Dallas in his Devils debut, less than a week after the trade from Winnipeg. Jake Allen has been reported as New Jersey's starter tonight, though the Devils have not announced it. Mackenzie Blackwood is projected for Colorado, which is 6-5-1 overall, 4-1-1 at home and has scored 49 goals in 12 games.

We see Colorado's offense winning a game with goals at both ends. A rested Avalanche team at home, facing a tired road team with its backup in net, should score enough to win and push the total over, while New Jersey's top line still gets its share. That gives us the Avalanche on the moneyline, the Over, and Arseny Gritsyuk to record a point.

Devils vs. Avalanche Predictions

• Pick #1: Avalanche Moneyline (-173)
• Pick #2: Over 6.5 (-100)
• Pick #3: Arseny Gritsyuk Over 0.5 Points (+145)

PICK #1: Avalanche Moneyline (-173)

This price moved because of New Jersey's goalie plan. Colorado's moneyline has shortened by 38 cents since it opened, to -173, as Hellebuyck started in Dallas and Allen was reported for tonight. The betting splits lean the same way: 83% of the moneyline money is on Colorado, from 64% of the bets. That's one reaction to one piece of news, not two separate reasons to like Colorado.

The matchup backs it up. Colorado averages 4.08 goals per game, second in the NHL, and has put six on Tampa Bay and five on Pittsburgh at home. Nathan MacKinnon has 21 points in 12 games, and Artturi Lehkonen leads the team with 10 goals. New Jersey has allowed 2.75 goals per game, sixth-fewest in the league. Tonight it plays its second game in two nights, after travel from Dallas, with Allen (.886 save percentage, 5-2-0) in place of Hellebuyck.

At -173, the implied probability is 63.4%. That's a steep number for a 6-5-1 team that has won one of its last four. The Devils have won six of their last seven, held Dallas to 18 shots and beat Colorado 4-3 in New Jersey in the first meeting. So the goalie matters a lot here, and if New Jersey goes back to Hellebuyck, this price is too high. The moneyline includes overtime and the shootout.

PICK #2: Over 6.5 (-100)

Colorado plays high-scoring games. The Avalanche have scored 49 goals and allowed 40 in 12 games, more than seven goals a night combined, and four of their last five went over the closing total. The first meeting finished 4-3, and it only cleared 6.5 because Colorado scored twice late.

Even money implies 50.0%. The splits favor the Over, with 82% of the money on 64% of the bets, and that lean showed up during the same stretch as the Devils' goalie news. New Jersey scores 3.42 goals per game, 10th in the league, and its top power-play unit of Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Luke Evangelista and Luke Hughes stays together in the latest projected lineup. Colorado has allowed 3.33 per game, so the Devils can add to the count even on tired legs. A 5-2 or 4-3 Colorado win gets there.

The Under is the shorter price at -120, and the number hasn't moved off 6.5. New Jersey has held its last three opponents to one goal each, and two of those three games stayed under. Blackwood is only projected for Colorado. The total includes overtime.

PICK #3: Arseny Gritsyuk Over 0.5 Points (+145)

Gritsyuk has a point in 8 of his last 10 games and 10 points (six goals, four assists) in 12 games this season. He scored against Colorado in the first meeting, set one up in Dallas, and had two-point games against Los Angeles and Washington, so this isn't one hot night doing the work.

His spot in the lineup is why we like the price. He has skated on the top line with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, and on the second power-play unit, in the latest projected lineups. Hughes leads the Devils with 14 points and Bratt has nine assists. In the game we expect, New Jersey scores two or three in a Colorado win, and a winger on that line is likely in on one of them.

The +145 price implies 40.8%, which leaves room even with a thinner longer record. He had 31 points in 66 games last season, and his 23% shooting this season won't hold forever. These numbers come from 12 games, all on this line. New Jersey hasn't posted its lines for tonight, so a demotion would hurt, and he was held off the scoresheet in two of his last 10. Player props may settle differently in overtime at different books.

21+ (18+ where permitted). Odds subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.