As December began, Colorado’s winning record of 21-2-6 was the best in the NHL, and among the best in the early history of the league. They are on pace to break the modern NHL record of 136 points set by the 2022-23 Bruins. Sportsbooks have to constantly adjust hockey betting odds online, and sharp bettors have to wager quickly to profit from the betting lines on such a dominant team.
This paper attempts to explain Colorado’s unmatched scoring surge, compares the scoring to other elite teams of the past, and examines the implications of this scoring surge on the betting markets. We consider the scoring patterns, the team’s available postseason roster, the team’s matchups, and the emerging betting value. By the end of the paper, you will have the confidence to better analyze the upcoming opportunities in games featuring the Avalanche and other opportunities in the NHL.
Inside Colorado’s Unstoppable Stretch
A Pace Almost No Team Has Touched
Colorado is not just off to a strong start; it is off to a historic start. As of early December, their record is 21-2-6 while holding a long point streak and controlling both sides of the game. Projections have the team on pace for 136 points, which, if they get it, would break the record for the most points in the league in a season.
The point leaders on the team tell the story the best.
- Nathan MacKinnon: 24 goals and 49 points, both of which lead in the league.
- Cale Makar: 26 assists, which lead all defenseman, and top-tier, two-way numbers.
What distinguishes this team is how wide the balance is across the roster. The forward group working the puck up the ice, the blue line contributing offensively, and the defensive structure limiting high-danger chances. Even if the offense cools down for a game or two, the defensive layers hold strong. Their consistency allows the markets to be bet on with certainty — overs on hand when the matchup favors high pace, and unders when the opponent holds a weak shot metric and doesn’t force the team to open up defensively, and stable moneylines.
The standout stretch includes an 8-game, unbeaten run at home recently, highlighting why the oddsmakers give this station such high prices. Most recently, however, they were on a hot run with results not inflated by an easier schedule. Their efficiency has been impressive across the board, and the difficulty has been no different with both top-end and middle-tier opposition.
How They Stack Up Against the Rest of the League
Considering the current state of the league, Colorado’s form is even more impressive. Across the league, volatility is high. Top teams in other divisions are dealing with injured goalies, special teams collapses, inconsistent forward lines, and other random stagnations. Colorado, meanwhile, keeps regressing less and less as it continues to acquire points.
Take shutdown teams as an example. While defensive-first clubs don’t apply as much as the Avalanche in the offensive zone, they can control the game. Colorado is able to get the goals on the power play, in quick transitions, and through secondary scoring. When looking at the underlying metrics, they are on the spectrum of the best to control in the NHL in the last decade.
Due to the NHL’s current parity, long unbeaten streaks are virtually impossible to obtain. Teams are better at scouting, and they are better and managing to outperform at scheduling. It is very rare to complete any double-digit win streak without a lot of resistance. This is not the case for Colorado, as they have managed to complete long streaks on multiple occasions. For those placing bets, this offers a one-of-a-kind baseline, as the results of the Avalanche games are considerably more predictable than most other teams. This is especially important when using hockey betting strategies to identify the best betting opportunities for totals and props.
How Bettors Can Use Colorado’s Trends
If you’re wagering on Avalanche games right now, several angles stand out:
Props and Overs
With a powerful offense and scoring depth, goal-related markets are definitely worth a bet – and to be more exact, props with Mackinnon, Makar, and the other forwards are justified. There are games where skating props, point props, and multi-goal games are more probable compared to other matchups.
Moneyline and Puck Line
Colorado is nearly always the favorite /\ a confident team and a home game, the puck line is a -1.5, which becomes more appealing, more enticing. They are heavy favorites, and to evaluate the betting strategy, the money line and puck line odds are the better option.
Situational Betting
Watch closely back-to-back, travel days, and elite goaltender matchups. Colorado is strong, but even they dip slightly when playing high-tempo teams or facing goalies who are in the middle of shutout streaks.
Futures Markets
If their pace continues, division and conference futures will tighten quickly. Early bettors may lock in favorable numbers before sportsbooks compress the lines in January.
Goaltending Variables
Goaltender usage patterns matter. When Colorado rotates or rests their starter, betting totals often become more valuable than betting outcomes.
What Happens Next — And Why It Matters for Odds
Colorado is anticipating slight declines moving forward. Their roster is healthy. Key players are performing at the top level of their careers. Analytics continue to support their winning streaks. They are deep enough to tolerate small losses. Their philosophy minimizes the fatigue from playing consecutive games.
Areas of focus for heavy betting action are:
- Impending road trips. Weeks in which a large portion of the games are away from home generally result in lower point prediction totals and an increased likelihood of winning odds for the underdog. The altitude advantage is negated.
- Defensive matchups. These games, especially against highly organized teams or elite goalies, are opportunities for the under prop or other low-scoring available prop scenarios.
- Long-term betting. Colorado is a candidate for the Stanley Cup playoffs, and as predictions become more stable and concrete, Colorado’s odds for winning the Cup may become highly unfavorable as the value of their odds diminishes.
The most important thing to monitor is if their opponents adapt. Dominant teams, especially in the early mid-season, typically face many tactical adjustments that include, but are not limited to, a tighter blue line and slower neutral-zone play. Physicality against MacKinnon’s line is a common adjustment to avoid being run over. Bettors are likely to encounter more volatility in midseason matches, along with better opportunities if these counter-strategies slow Colorado down.
Expert Insights: 6 Tips for Smarter Avalanche Betting
Forecast goalie confirmations in advance.
Goaltending has the biggest effect on totals by far than any skater. Confirm starters ahead of all placements. Colorado’s structure is able to defend weaker nights, but if the opposing goalie is on a hot streak, it’ll be a problem when it comes to scoring.
Focus attention on the prop markets.
Player points, assists, shot prop overs, all provide more consistent outcomes. Money line bets on heavy favorites rarely turn out profitable, especially if they are heavy odds. MacKinnon and Makar have both overs on shot props that they hit at a very high rate.
Look ahead to schedule compression.
Overall, when Colorado has a pack of 3 games in 4 nights, they slow down their pace a bit. These spots create exploitable value on dogs, unders, and money on props.
Engage in live betting when games are slow to start.
If the Colorado games are slow, they are often very good, and they adjust to their game plan very well. If they happen to be losing, you could have a very valuable live overall or good odds on a comeback.
Evaluate Home and Away game splits.
Altitude does make a difference, and Colorado has a larger goal margin, which correlates to a high-scoring game on the puck line bets.
Avoid Colorado legs when chasing long parlays.
While heavy betting favorites and dominant teams often lose, it is better not to have to overly rely on Colorado legs to “guarantee” a parlay. It is often better to look for disciplined staking and good single bets to seek out value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the different types of bets in hockey?
A: Common formats — or types of hockey betting — include the moneyline (winner), puck line (goal spread), totals (over/under), props (goal scorers, assists, shots), futures (season awards or champions), and live bets during the game.
Q: How do dominant teams affect betting odds?
A: Oddsmakers reduce moneyline value for strong teams. Bettors, however, tend to shift to props, puck lines, or totals.
Q: Why are goalie matchups so important?
A: No position affects outcomes like a goalie. They are at an increased scoring risk when they have a hot goalie.
Q: How should bettors trust Colorado for futures markets?
A: Colorado is a strong candidate, but there is risk with futures. There is also a risk with prolonged slumps, injuries, or playoff matchups.
Q: How can I spot value in Avalanche games?
A: Look for situational spots: tired opponents, long road stretches, games against teams with poor defensive metrics, and rested Colorado lineups.
Q: Do injuries change how sportsbooks price games?
A: Yes. They can change lines quickly with missing top-line skaters or goaltenders. You can catch movement before sportsbooks do by tracking lineup news.
Q: Is betting unders viable with a high-scoring team?
A: Yes. It comes down to matchups more than reputation. High-scoring teams are usually defensive-minded, face elite goalies, or are slow-paced teams.
Q: When is the best time to be placing bets?
A: For the Odds to be more favorable in the early betting lines before the market reacts. Most of the time, it makes sense to place late bets due to confirmation of goalies and news of injuries.
Where Avalanche Momentum Leaves Bettors Now
Colorado’s record and pace give bettors a clear advantage when reading trends. You know how they score, how they defend, and which matchups expose weaknesses. That predictability is rare in today’s NHL. The key takeaways: watch goalie news, track schedule pressure, use props for stronger returns, and approach futures before the market tightens. Their dominance shapes how oddsmakers react — and it gives you more opportunities when you understand where the value sits.
If you’re ready to take the next step and see how upcoming matchups stack up, check the latest lines and place wagers at BetNow. The Avalanche won’t stay this hot forever, but while they are, the betting window is wide open.
Hilbert Mayer
Sports Writer
Hilbert Mayer is a professional sports writer, betting analyst, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry. Before focusing on sports betting analysis and handicapping, Hilbert worked as a sports writer for various news outlets, covering everything from game recaps to in-depth matchup features. Today, he specializes in MLB, NFL, March Madness, and UFC betting, combining his journalistic background with deep statistical expertise and real-world betting insights. His proven track record, sharp reads, and ability to break down complex matchups make him a trusted voice among both casual bettors and seasoned sharps.
Published on: December 9, 2025
Last updated: December 10, 2025