The Avalanche will host the Golden Knights on Wednesday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final, with puck drop set for 8:00 p.m. ET. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Colorado is a -198 home favorite on the Moneyline, and the game’s total is set at O/U 6.5 goals.

Below, I’ll break down my top prediction and pick for Game 1 between the Avalanche and Golden Knights.

Avalanche vs. Golden Knights Game 1 prediction, preview

Colorado Avalanche

With the exception of the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference, the Avalanche have been the most dominant team this postseason, with just one loss through the first two rounds. The club has averaged a postseason-high 4.11 goals per game, and it ranks third among the remaining postseason teams in total 5v5 goals, despite logging at least three fewer games. Dating back to April 1, Colorado sports a 14-3-1 record, and it is worth noting that one of those losses came against Vegas on April 11.

Nathan MacKinnon had a relatively quiet first-round series, but he was electric in the second round, netting a goal in every game and totaling nine points across five games. The Avalanche experienced some goaltending issues in the second round against the Wild, with Scott Wedgewood being pulled early in Game 3 and Mackenzie Blackwood being pulled early in Game 5. Wedgewood has played better than Blackwood, and I’d expect the club to return to its go-to net-minder for Game 1 tonight.

Vegas Golden Knights

It felt as if many NHL fans were shocked that the Golden Knights’ second-round series looked so competitive, but that isn’t a knock on Vegas. Anaheim deployed an electric offense that logged plenty of high-danger chances, and if anything, its competitiveness might’ve prepared Vegas for this highly anticipated Western Conference Final matchup. Looking at the numbers, this Golden Knights team profiles similarly to the Wild, who totaled 18 goals across five games against the Avalanche. Among the remaining postseason teams, Vegas ranks third in 5v5 xGoals per 60 and second in 5v5 goals per 60, so it is more than capable of keeping up with Colorado at even strength.

Perhaps the club’s biggest development has been the emergence of Carter Hart, who sports a 2.37 GAA and .917 SV% across 12 starts this postseason. He ranks third among remaining postseason goaltenders in goals saved above expected.

Avalanche vs. Golden Knights Game 1 pick, best bet

Best Bet: UNDER 6.5 Total Goals (-120)

The total hit in two of three regular-season matchups between these two teams. Both offenses have been humming this postseason, but so has the goaltending. Momentum is a real thing, and these teams have been sitting on their hands for nearly a week at this point. I’m expecting a sluggish-looking Game 1 as a result.