The Colorado Avalanche have lost three straight games out of the holiday break and host the Vegas Golden Knights and their 14-3-2 road record Tuesday. Here is our top Golden Knights vs. Avalanche pick for the Western Conference Showdown based on the top odds.
Colorado superstar Nathan MacKinnon's return to the lineup Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs wasn't enough to return the Avs to the win column, and Vegas stands as another admirable opponent, albeit a similarly injury-riddle one.
The Golden Knights are expected to be without top-six forwards Jack Eichel (lower body) and Jonathan Marchessault (lower body), and top-four defensemen Shea Theodore (leg), Alec Martinez (undisclosed), and Zach Whitecloud (lower body).
Meanwhile, the Avalanche are still without captain Gabriel Landeskog (knee) and winger Valeri Nichushkin (ankle) in addition to defensemen Bowen Byram (lower body) and Josh Manson (lower body). All four were key cogs for Colorado during its Cup run last season.