Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Vancouver Canucks taking on the Colorado Avalanche. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.
NHL Predictions: Vancouver Canucks at Colorado Avalanche
2025-2026 Season Series: Vancouver 0-2 Colorado
Time: 8:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) | 5:30 p.m. Pacific
How to Watch: Sportsnet+, SNP, TVAS, ALT, ESPN+, NHL Centre Ice
Location: Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.
The Vancouver Canucks continue their four-game road trip with a matchup against the league-leading Colorado Avalanche. Vancouver sits at 21-44-8 after 73 games, with 50 points, while Colorado sits at 49-14-10 after 73 games, with 108 points. This marks the third and final meeting between these two teams. Colorado won the last meeting, 3-1, on December 2nd.
Credit Image: © Ulrik Pedersen/ZUMA Press Wire
The Canucks Story
Vancouver has lost six consecutive games and has officially clinched last place in the NHL for this season. The on-ice product has not been great lately, though the players are giving it their all. They continue to play out the string with hopes of building for the future. There is no shortage of rumblings off the ice, given how poorly this season has gone. The glimmer of positivity is that Brock Boeser has scored six goals in 14 games in the month of March, and he now leads his team with 18 goals on the year.
The Avalanche Story
Colorado has their eyes on the Stanley Cup as they have led the NHL for virtually the entire regular season. They look poised to win the Presidents’ Trophy with their strong, consistent play for most of the year. They decimated the Calgary Flames on Monday, 9-2 at home. Nazem Kadri made his return to Calgary after his trade and scored two goals in the victory. Nathan MacKinnon is still within striking distance of the scoring lead in the NHL, with 49 goals and 71 assists for 120 points in 72 games.
The concern for the team lies with the upper-body injury to Cale Makar. He was absent in the third period against the Flames after taking a hit from Adam Klapka late in the second period. According to TSN analyst Pierre LeBrun, he will miss a few games before the Stanley Cup Playoffs get underway.
Cale Makar did not return to the game after taking this hit from Adam Klapka in the second period. pic.twitter.com/jbabyg4PWi
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 31, 2026
On Cale Makar, don’t believe it’s too serious but he will likely miss a few games in order to get him to 100 percent before the playoffs.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 31, 2026
Starting Goalies
Below are the projected starters for tonight’s game. Please check social media for the most updated information before locking in your daily fantasy lineups.
For Vancouver, we expect Kevin Lankinen to get the start. In 42 games this season, he has an 8-26-5 record, a 3.63 goals-against average, and an .877 save percentage.
For Colorado, Mackenzie Blackwood will likely get the start. In 34 games this season, he has a 21-9-1 record, a 2.42 goals-against average. and a .905 save percentage.
Prediction and Best Bets
This should be a rather easy game for the Avalanche to win. The key will be to get off to a good start and not let Vancouver get any type of momentum. It should be easy cruising from there.
Prediction: Avalanche win 5-2.
Best Bets
To wrap things up, here are our anytime goal scorer picks. For the Canucks, we will pick Brock Boeser to get a goal. On the Avalanche side, we will pick leading scorer Nathan MacKinnon to score one.
Main Photo Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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