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Predators vs. Avalanche prediction: Why Colorado is favored to win Friday's NHL matchup [1/16/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Get Nashville Predators vs Colorado Avalanche predictions for NHL Friday.
The Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators will lock horns in the NHL at Ball Arena on Friday, with puck drop at 9:00 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulation results, Dimers' advanced NHL model projects the Avalanche as the most likely winner of the Predators vs. Avalanche game.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Friday's matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Predators vs. Avs prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using trusted machine learning and data, we have simulated the result of Friday's NHL game between the Predators and Avalanche 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our leading predictive model gives the Avalanche a 70% chance of beating the Predators.
According to our model, the bookmakers have got it right, and the Predators and Avalanche each have a 50% chance of covering the puck line, while the 6-goal over/under has a 57% chance of going over.
Predators vs. Avalanche odds
We have sourced the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Predators | Avalanche |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | +1.5 (+105) | -1.5 (-125) |
| Moneyline | +250 | -300 |
| Total | o6 (-130) | u6 (+100) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Predators vs. Avalanche picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | Predators +1.5 | +105 |
| Moneyline | Predators | +250 |
| Total | Over 6 | -130 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Predators +1.5 at the spread.
Predators vs. Avalanche player props
Who will score a goal in Predators vs. Avalanche?
According to our model, Nathan MacKinnon is most likely to score an anytime goal in Predators vs. Avalanche.
Our projections give MacKinnon a 40.8% chance of scoring a goal at Ball Arena, while the star is an 8.3% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Nashville Predators
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Steven Stamkos | 33.1% |
| Filip Forsberg | 30.4% |
| Ryan O'Reilly | 20.6% |
| Michael Bunting | 19.4% |
| Roman Josi | 18.8% |
Colorado Avalanche
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Nathan MacKinnon | 40.8% |
| Brock Nelson | 39.7% |
| Valeri Nichushkin | 34.7% |
| Martin Necas | 32.6% |
| Artturi Lehkonen | 28.2% |
First goal scorer predictions
Nashville Predators
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Steven Stamkos | 6.0% |
| Filip Forsberg | 5.6% |
| Ryan O'Reilly | 3.5% |
| Luke Evangelista | 3.4% |
| Michael Bunting | 3.3% |
Colorado Avalanche
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Nathan MacKinnon | 8.3% |
| Brock Nelson | 8.0% |
| Valeri Nichushkin | 6.7% |
| Martin Necas | 6.0% |
| Cale Makar | 5.3% |
Predators vs. Avs game-day updates and essential details
Friday's action between the Avalanche and Predators at Ball Arena is scheduled to begin at 9:00 PM ET.
- Who: Nashville Predators vs. Colorado Avalanche
- Date: Friday, January 16, 2026
- Time: 9:00 PM ET/6:00PM PT
- Venue: Ball Arena
Conclusion
We predict the Avalanche, with a 70% win probability, will likely beat the Predators on Friday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Predators vs. Avalanche insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from the latest data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Nick Slade, with nearly two decades of experience, is the Chief Content Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, overseeing content for Dimers. He specializes in soccer, NBA, and NHL betting, leveraging predictive analytics and machine learning to provide accurate betting insights.
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