Stars vs. Avalanche Prediction, NHL Odds & Best Bets (10/14)

Fact checked at 7:50 AM ET, Oct 14, 2026

Odds as of Oct 14, 7:42 AM ET

Colorado won 3-2 at American Airlines Center on Tuesday, and the two teams go again Wednesday at 8:30 PM ET at Ball Arena in Denver on TNT, truTV and HBO Max, both on the second night of a back-to-back. The Avalanche are 4-2-0 and have scored 29 goals in six games, 4.83 per game, tied with Edmonton for the league lead. The Stars are 2-3-1 with 13 goals (2.17 per game, 30th of 32), and they are thinner tonight. Center Wyatt Johnston, an 86-point scorer last season, was ruled out with an illness and did not travel. Matt Duchene is on long-term injured reserve after core muscle surgery, Joel Kiviranta has missed four straight games, and Roope Hintz is listed day to day; he was seen icing his hand after his fight with Nathan MacKinnon on Tuesday. Colorado is -148 on the moneyline, Dallas +124.

We expect Colorado to run this game through MacKinnon's line at home, with the goals staying with its top players. MacKinnon has been a different shooter in Denver this season, and Colorado's depth has barely touched the scoresheet, even on its biggest nights. Both of our picks cash in that game.

Neither goalie is confirmed. Scott Wedgewood is reported to start for Colorado and Casey DeSmith for Dallas, with Mackenzie Blackwood and Jake Oettinger having played Tuesday. Cale Makar sat out Tuesday to be with his wife, who was expecting twins, and Colorado has not said whether he plays. Zachary L'Heureux (upper body) was a late scratch Tuesday.

Stars vs. Avalanche Predictions

• Pick #1: Nathan MacKinnon Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (-115)
• Pick #2: T.J. Hughes Under 0.5 Points (-160)

PICK #1: Nathan MacKinnon Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (-115)

MacKinnon has played three games in Denver this season and put 8, 4 and 8 shots on goal. Away from home he has 1, 2 and 2, the last of those in Dallas on Tuesday. Last season backs it up. He took 350 shots in 80 games, 4.4 a night, got to four or more in 52 of them, and did it in 29 of 40 home games. His two games against Dallas in Denver last season produced five shots and four.

A price of -115 implies 53.5%. His home rate is comfortably above that. He plays about 20 minutes a night on the top line and the first power-play unit for a team that puts 31.2 shots a game on net, fifth in the league.

Dallas is the obstacle. The Stars allow 22.5 shots a game, second fewest in the league, and kept him to two on Tuesday. They built that number with Johnston in the lineup, though. Tonight they are without Johnston and Duchene, might be without Hintz, and are playing their second game in two nights.

PICK #2: T.J. Hughes Under 0.5 Points (-160)

Colorado has scored 17 goals in three home games, beating Los Angeles 8-4 and St. Louis 6-1 and losing 6-3 to Toronto. Hughes was not in on any of them. His only point in six games is an assist at Calgary on Oct. 8, and he has no goals on 15 shots.

He played on the third line Tuesday with Jaden Schwartz and Fedor Svechkov, and his ice time has run from 11:56 to 19:56 (13:05 on Tuesday). He has also had a spot on the first power-play unit and played 3:48 with the extra man Tuesday without a point.

The implied chance at -160 is 61.5%. Dallas has allowed 10 goals in six games, the fewest per game in the league (11 if you count a shootout goal at Pittsburgh), although Oettinger started five of those six. The way this loses is a Colorado blowout, the kind of night when third-liners pick up points. Hughes has already sat through an 8-4 win and a 6-1 win without one.

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